Martin reduces ambitions for season start
German needed rest to heal knee problems caused by overtraining
Tony Martin, HTC-Columbia's surprise prodigy of the 2009 season, was over-ambitious with his winter training and injured his knee. The German is now going into the season with reduced ambitions for the first races.
Martin, 24, told the German press agency DPA, “I probably overdid it a bit with my winter training and injured a tendon in my knee.” He had to stop training for two weeks, and has only just returned to training, riding up to 100 kilometres a day.
He will open his season with the Mallorca Challenge, taking place from February 7-11, but has nevertheless reduced his ambitions for his first major test of the year, Paris-Nice (March 7-14).
Martin wore the white jersey as best young rider at the 2009 Tour de France for 12 days, and finished second on the Mont Ventoux stage. He finished second overall in the Tour de Suisse, where he also won a stage. Martin took the mountain jersey in both the Tour de Suisse and Paris-Nice.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Thank you for reading 5 articles in the past 30 days*
Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read any 5 articles for free in each 30-day period, this automatically resets
After your trial you will be billed £4.99 $7.99 €5.99 per month, cancel anytime. Or sign up for one year for just £49 $79 €59
Join now for unlimited access
Try your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Most Popular
By Laura Weislo