If Lenny Martinez has clearly marked time since the passage in the Pyrenees, crushed during the big stage of the Tourmalet, the greatest optimism must be in order for the future. In his column on cyclismactu.net, Cyrille Guimard, former sports director of the biggest like Hinault or Fignon, confirms that this Vuelta serves as proof for the little climber from Groupama-FDJ.
After two extraordinary weeks, at the end of which he was still in 5th place in the general classification, still ahead of a rider like Jonas Vingegaardand less than a minute behind Remco Evenepoelthen the highest ranked tenor, Lenny Martinez, barely 20 years old, could still dream of creating a huge surprise for the first Grand Tour of his young career, and why not integrate the top 3 at the final finish in Madrid. And especially since the legs were still there.
Cycling: Alaphilippe-Evenepoel, the consequences of the Vuelta https://t.co/HXitQt1jhb pic.twitter.com/Wec3rBslRo
— le10sport (@le10sport) September 12, 2023
He lasted two weeks, he’s missing one
Unfortunately, during Friday’s stage in the Pyrenees, a terrible stage punctuated by the climb of the Tourmalet, the young French champion’s body gave out. On the team website Groupama-FDJin comments reported by cyclismactu.nethe commented: “ It was not an easy day. I had chills and cold in the Col de Spandelles. I held on, then came back downhill. I knew at the foot of the Tourmalet that my legs and body were empty. Thanks to Michael (Storer), I had a wheel to hold on to. He helped me a lot and I finished as best I could. I had nothing left, but I had to fight until the end compared to the work done by my teammates for two weeks ». Benoît Vaugrenardthe sports director of the Groupama-FDJwanted to be optimistic for the future: “ The stage started quite well for us. Rudy (Molard) was impressive, and we saw some great Michael (Storer) as well. Lenny was empty, he had nothing left. It took a toll on him physically. He managed to fight, but it was complicated. He finished as best he could with Michael. It’s a bad day, but he fought well and that’s part of his learning. He is young, and it is through difficulty that we learn. We will now do the accounts to see what we can do for the rest of the Vuelta ».
“He showed everything you need to know that he will be great in the future”
Optimism is indeed what should emerge from the first grand Tour de Lenny Martinez. If he gave in after two weeks (he is now 21st in the general classification, more than 40 minutes behind), the young French climber can rely on the conviction that he has the world level to one day win a mountain event. three weeks. It is normal for his body to give in after two weeks. At 20 years, Lenny Martinez does not yet have the funds to last three weeks. But this type of test will allow him to acquire it. On the occasion of his column on cyclismactu.net, Cyrille Guimardthe former sports director of Hinault, Fignon or Worldand boss of the French teams before Thomas Voeckleralso displayed real optimism: “ Lenny Martinez had a very good first week, accompanying the best and even wearing the leader’s jersey. He demonstrated everything that is necessary to demonstrate to know that he will be great in the future ».
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.