Next step: four week vacation off of the bike
26-year-old German all-arounder, Paul Martens, suffered a nasty crash during the first stage of the 62nd Criterium du Dauphine. He had been kept in the hospital under observation following the realization that he had potentially serious internal injuries: one broken rib, a bruised kidney, and internal bleeding. None of his injuries required surgery, but it was determined that it would be best for the Rostock native to remain at the hospital in Valence.
Martens was a happy man to leave the hospital after his five day prostrate vacation. For the latter part of his stay, he had his wife at his side, but there was no doubting the happy feelings he had as he got the green light to head home: “I’m out of here. One small step for mankind, one giant step for me.”
On the semi-bright side, at least Paul Martens won’t count himself as one of the seemingly many riders that will see their Tour de France starts vanish because of a pre-Tour crash. Martens received the disappointing news of his non-selection just days before the start of the Dauphine.
Martens isn’t sure about his next steps: “It is not yet clear how long I have to take a break for, further tests will let us know more. The training-free phase will likely amount to about four weeks.”
Martens has enjoyed a consistently solid season so far in 2010. Martens’s progression from a top German talent to a top ProTour talent has been slow and steady. In 2010, the progression has continued. His results, though not highlighted by any wins or major podiums, are a testament to his all-around abilities. He took a 2nd place in Stage 2 of Tirreno-Adriatico, 15th at Milan-Sanremo after suffering a late flat, 8th at the E3, 4th at the Brabantse Pijl, 11th at the Amstel Gold, 14th at Liege-Bastogne-Liege, and most recently a 5th in Stage 5 of the Tour of California.