Dhe memories of his unsuccessful cycling summer can still be felt. In the form of a splint in the mouth, which stabilizes the teeth that are previously affected in the event of a fall. The Tour de France had once again given Tony Martin the hardships of cycling. But this should now be followed by a golden Belgian late summer.
The 36-year-old cycling veteran wants to know again. Whether he will find his way out of the (self-chosen) role of the noble helper to that of the victory driver. Whether he can bring the stars out of the sky again in his long-standing specialist discipline. Whether he can push the watt values of the much younger opponents into the pedals.
The prospect of this year’s World Championships individual time trial this Sunday in Flanders “got him onto his bike full of motivation,” says Martin. The wounds from his accidents on the tour hadn’t even healed completely. “I was able to work very, very well.” And after years again mainly and specifically on the time trial machine. His Dutch team Jumbo-Visma gave him all the freedom he needed. Usually he helps others to shine there.
The tingling is back
In this function he was absorbed. “It is pleasant not to have any pressure to succeed that can be measured in terms of placements,” says Martin of the FAZ, “but I missed the tingling every now and then.” That’s back. Because the professional, who was born in Cottbus and grew up in Eschborn, sounds in the hours leading up to the World Cup competition against the clock almost like he used to when he was the one to beat in the time trial for more than half a decade. As a reminder: Martin became world time trial champion in Copenhagen in 2011, in Valkenburg in 2012, in Florence in 2013 and in Doha in 2016.
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And in 2021 in Flanders, probably the most enthusiastic cycling spot in Europe? “It is my wish and goal to get a medal. That’s ambitious, no question about it. But I didn’t train for weeks to finish sixth, ”says the Swiss by choice. He draws his self-confidence from his physical condition and the nature of the course, which is designed for him. Flat and long – as Martin has always appreciated.
The 43.3-kilometer route from Knokke-Heist to Bruges has a barely noticeable 78 meters in altitude. This Flemish course will not say that the best will win, it is clear that the strongest will win. “There won’t be any great tactics,” says Martin. He definitely wants to make the World Cup opener his surprise show. “I am very excited.”
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