The French climber, who will discover the big loop at 21, addresses the race without any particular pressure.
«For the moment, I prefer to win a step what to make a top 10 to the general“Said French climber Lenny Martinez on Wednesday three days before the departure of the Tour de France in Lille. “”When you win, it’s a feeling on arrival that doesn’t last long but it’s crazy“Said the Bahrain runner before the press.
The pocket climber (1.68 m, 52 kg) knows what he is talking about since he has won a stage in three major week-long races this season, in Paris-Nice, Romandie Tour and the Critérium du Dauphiné. With his exceptional power-power relationship and his mountain capacities, the 21-year-old is considered one of the main national hopes to play the general classification at the Tour de France, which no French has won since Bernard Hinault in 1985.
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“I still have to progress a lot. But Pogacar also progresses very, very quickly ”
«I do not feel any pressure compared to that because I am still very far from winning the Tour. I know it’s impossible for the moment. I much prefer to be free and aim for the stepsHe insists. Miguel’s son, Olympic mountain bike champion in 2000, and Mariano’s grandson, best climber in the 1978 Tour, checked “a lot of steps“, Like those arriving in Mûr-de-Bretagne, Mont Ventoux or Mont-Dore.
Winning the pea jersey like his grandfather is not an objective at this stage, even if he can dominate this ranking, it will rather be on “Arrivals at the top». To chase the steps, he “Bossé all winter (sound) Punchy sideWith his new coach. “”He saw that I had capacity for short efforts and he supported a lot about it. Even if I also have capacities to climb long passes, it is this little difference that saves when you arrive in a small group.»
Play the general classification, “It will be in two years maybe“, He underlines, knowing that a runner like Tadej Pogacar is still”Really very far ahead». «I still have to progress a lot. But Pogacar also progresses very, very quickly. The level is just incredible.»
