A crash decimated the Garmin Sharp squad in the opening stage of the Giro d'Italia but team leader Dan Martin is already on the road to recovery (Photo: Sirotti)
Dan Martin and his Garmin Sharp teammate Koldo Fernandez are currently recovering at home having been operated on in Dublin for broken collarbones suffered at the opening team time trial of the Giro in Belfast.
Both riders hit the deck when Martin’s front wheel slid out as he hit a metallic man hole cover during the stage but despite his injuries and subsequent forced abandon of the race, Martin was philosophical today.
“Now that the dust has settled on my operation, I've been able to look back on the Giro start in Belfast with incredible memories of the team presentation, the team work, the camaraderie of my team and the incredible noise and support we enjoyed in the team time trial,” he said from his base in Girona today.
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“Unfortunately my Giro was cut short but we were lucky to come away from it with relatively light injuries. Myself and Koldo had successful operations on Sunday and are on the road to recovery, with a steady supply of treats and hugs for us both from the team, my family and friends from cycle4life.
"It's the first time I've broken a bone but I'm certain to bounce back better then ever with the circle of support I've had from them and my incredible fan support.”
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Although originally not on his radar for this season, the crash may see Martin contest the Tour de France in July now, although that will depend on his recovery rate up to then.
“As always, I strive to find the silver lining,” he said.
“The spirit of this team through this has blown me away and I'm confident the remaining seven riders will go on to do incredible things during the remaining three weeks of the Giro.
"Hopefully for me, success will be even sweeter later in the year after such a rough period the last few weeks. But you have to take the downs with the ups in this sport so it’s time for a mental reset and I'll be back."
He added he was very great for the "incredible support" from the Irish fans and he was looking forward to seeing his team mates still on the race "rip up the Italian roads" over the next three weeks.
Having bagged second place last month in La Fleche Wallonne (above) Martin headed into the Giro in great form. And while that is all over now, the eternal optimist has somehow found a bright side to his bad luck, immediately weighing up his chances of coming back strong and urging his team on in Italy (Photo: Sirotti)
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