Bahrain Victorious saw Seixas pay the price at Tour de France: ‘It was the opposite with Martinez’

Lenny Martinez started the Tour de France with the King of the Mountains jersey as his main ambition. In the end, things turned out very differently: the Bahrain Victorious rider remained in contention in the general classification and eventually secured an impressive fifth place overall. Sports director Enrico Gasparotto believes that is a promising sign for the future.

Along with Soudal Quick-Step’s Valentin Paret-Peintre, Martinez was one of two riders who stated before the race that he intended to go all-in for the polka-dot jersey. However, the diminutive climber stayed close in the general classification during the opening stages, grew stronger as the Tour progressed and, after a superb second place on Alpe d’Huez, finished fifth in Paris.

And that was not all. “He managed to involve all of his teammates,” Gasparotto said of the Frenchman in an interview with Bici. The Italian saw his team endure a difficult start. “That was partly because the strategy changed a little. We began with Antonio Tiberi as our rider for the general classification, but he did not have the legs for it.”

The team’s attention therefore shifted to Martinez. “The internal dynamics changed, and it took us about a week to adapt and focus on the general classification with Lenny, with Antonio moving into a support role,” Gasparotto explained as Bahrain Victorious adjusted its plans.

That suddenly placed the still only 23-year-old climber from Cannes in the role of team leader. “When you have a personality who brings calm and composure to his teammates, as Lenny did during the second and third weeks, you already have a major advantage,” Gasparotto said. “Lenny helped the group grow and, from a certain point onwards, united everyone.”

That ultimately paid off, with Martinez completing the Tour de France in fifth place overall. Does his sports director now believe he can consistently challenge for a top-five finish in the Grand Tours? “I think so, because finishing fifth in a Tour de France of this level, and above all doing so while getting stronger, is an excellent sign.”

“His performance was outstanding,” Gasparotto continued. “He played a key role during the final two days. When you consider that even Paul Seixas, the most highly rated young talent, paid the price, it was exactly the opposite with Martinez.” The Bahrain Victorious sports director saw Martinez continue to improve as the Tour progressed, unlike Seixas.

As far as Gasparotto is concerned, Martinez should now continue targeting the general classification. “I just hope the French do not put too much pressure on him,” he immediately cautioned. “Lenny comes from a cycling family: both his father and his grandfather were riders. I think this result makes the entire Martinez family proud.”