Dan Martin is looking at the Tour de France as one of his major targets for 2017 and Sean Kelly reckons he can do better than he has so far in his career.
By Brian Canty
Sean Kelly reckons Dan Martin can “definitely” do better than a top 10 on General Classification (GC) at the Tour de France and maybe even break the top five this year.
The Irish cycling legend said the Quick-Step Floors rider has paid for his aggression in the past and fallen down between two stools; chasing GC and stage wins.
“I think Dan can definitely do better than a top 10. He’s capable of a top 5 depending on what kind of a route it is, not too much time-trialling on the flat and he can go well.
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“The Tour this year is not really a course with a big amount of time-trialling so that should suit him and I would see him getting into the top five.
“It is possible, you need to be getting into the top five,” he added.
Of course, Martin was ninth overall last year but Kelly knows the 30-year old will be aiming for higher than that.
“Between 5th and 10th, it’s not great publicity for a rider.
“If you could focus on stage wins and win one or two stages of a Grand Tour it’s much better for me than 7th or 8th.
“If you ride for the General (Classification) and you are in the top 10 it’s a little more difficult to get away in the final because the guys 1-2 places ahead of you won’t allow you go in the attack.
“To get away in the final of a stage is always more difficult but the problem now is, the tours are never easy to get away.
“Guys are chasing each other and it does affect you going for stage wins.”
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