Roche and Martin at last year’s Vuelta; both should be up the road in this year’s Tour de France
By Brian Canty
Dan Martin believes he can win a stage of the Tour de France this year and end Ireland’s 20-year wait for a win in the world’s biggest bike race.
The Garmin-Barracuda rider, who has yet to ride the Tour, believes his improvement over the last number of years allied to his climbing ability will allow him contend for one of the many mountain stages of this year’s race.
Martin, ranked 8th in the world last year, said: “It’s looking pretty likely that I’ll be at the Tour. As long as I stay fit and healthy this year, as long as I don’t get injured or sick, I’ll be at the Tour. I’ve looked at the route a little bit and there’s seven or eight days where I’ve a chance of winning the stage.”
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“People look at it (the route) at first glance and they say that it’s not going to be that hard but I think it will be. Every day is hard and that really suits me.”
He was, however, keen to stress that should he start, he wants “no pressure” on his young shoulders.
“We’ve got Christian (Vande Velde) for the general classification so I’m really just going to be going in shooting for stages. The big aim will be the polka dot jersey.”
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Irish legend Sean Kelly echoes those sentiments and adds that Nicolas Roche should consider a similar approach in chasing stage wins.
“Yeah, I think he’s up to it,” asserts Kelly on Martin’s capabilities to win a stage.
“Both of the guys, Roche as well, are up to a stage win. For me, Roche; he’s chasing general classification and I think it’s coming to a stage now where if you’re not getting into the top 10 pretty easily, if you’re fighting and fighting to get into the top 10 every year, for me, it’s not the way to do it.”
“I would try and lose a lot of time in the earlier stages, then get into breaks on mountain stages and win. That’s what Roche is capable of doing and if you can get that right and win two stages in the Tour de France; that would be huge for him.”
Martin prefers to downplay other people’s hopes for him.
“I don’t ever really feel that pressure to be honest,” he shrugs.
“The way I always look at it is; the only person I can disappoint is myself. As long as I give my best, I’ve got to a level now that as long as I do my best and physically 100%, I’m going to be at the front of the race. I think I’m so relaxed because I’ve been here (in the team) for so long.”
“I mean I’ve grown up with this team, I know it so well and they also trust me and I’ve gained their confidence. If I ever say I’m feeling good in a race, generally I win the race. It’s something that’s become funny now. It’s nice to have that confidence in the back of your mind all the time and I feel very comfortable in the team here.”
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