Italian race victory not enough to seal his place on squad
Sunday’s Giro della Toscana winner Dan Martin has spoke of his frustration at not making Garmin-Cervélo’s Tour de France squad, saying that he is very disappointed to miss the race this season.
The team has not yet announced the squad for the race, but Martin confirmed to VeloNation on Thursday evening that he had been told that he would not be selected this year. While he had some allergy issues on the final two days in the Critérium du Dauphiné, he underlined his fine form on the third-last stage with an attacking ride to Les Gets, where he placed eighth, and then even more so last Sunday.
He was one of the most aggressive riders in the finale of the Toscana event, going clear with two laps to go and then, after being brought back, winning a six-man sprint for the victory.
The result followed on from four wins last year, namely a stage plus the overall in the Tour of Poland, victory in the Tre Valli Varesine in Italy and then solo success in the Japan Cup. However, despite this most recent display of form, he will have to make alternative plans for July.
“I am obviously disappointed not to be able to test myself in the best event in the world, against the best riders,” said Martin, his tone of voice underlining his frustration. “But I obviously I didn’t fit what the team’s objectives are for the Tour this season. They say they have bigger plans for me towards the end of the year. So I have just got to respect their decision and try to rebuild for the rest of the year.”
Martin’s performance last Sunday shows he has strong form, but a crammed Garmin-Cervélo team has led to some difficult choices. General manager Jonathan Vaughters said as much over Twitter last Sunday. “One thing to remember: its not the best 9 individual riders on paper that make up the best team of 9 riders.”
He added: “Congrats to Dan Martin today for winning in Toscana…. Making it all very hard for me.”
While Tom Danielson remains the only rider who has officially been given the green light, in that he and Vaughters told the Denver Post that he would be going, it’s possible to pinpoint six other riders who are very likely to take part.
Christian Vande Velde and Ryder Hesjedal have been fourth and seventh respectively in the past, Hesjedal taking that result last year, and will both target the general classification.
Tyler Farrar and Thor Hushovd will represent the team in the sprints and flatter stages, while the team time trial makes it likely that US champion Dave Zabriskie and world championship silver medallist David Millar will also be picked.
Proving that’s accurate, it would leaves just two places up for grabs. It remains to be seen if these go to general domestiques, strong climbers or to sprint leadout riders, but Martin appears not to fit into Vaughters’ plans this time round.
He was reluctant to criticise the team, but his sentiments and his tone of voice made it very clear that he isn’t happy to miss out.
He plans to channel that frustration into the Irish national road race championships on Sunday. While the course is not as hilly as he would like, he is in strong form and is determined to perform well. If everything goes to plan, he’ll retake the distinctive white and green jersey which he last scooped in 2008. He knows that would send out a message.
“I have done my bit in getting to the best form possible [for the Tour],” he said. “I will try to get my jersey on Sunday. That would be another way to show that I am going really well and they are making a mistake.
“Anyway, there are more races than the Tour. A lot of guys never get to do the Tour… my time will come, just not this year.”
Martin was originally scheduled to ride the race in 2009. However he had to cancel his participation three days beforehand due to knee problems. Ironically, his strong form would most likely earn him a place on several other teams for the 2011 Tour.
The Irish championships will be held this Sunday at Scotstown in Co. Monaghan. Martin, first cousin Nicolas Roche (Ag2r La Mondiale), fellow Pro-Team riders Philip Deignan (RadioShack) and defending champion Matt Brammeier will be the most closely watched on the day, and so too the riders of the An Post Grant Thornton M. Donnelly Sean Kelly team. Of those, Martin may well be the most fired up to triumph.