Lenny Martinez explains how he managed to beat Jonas Vingegaard at Paris–Nice

Martinez recorded his eleventh career victory on Sunday, and eight of those wins have been in France. What began in 2023 with a win at the CIC-Mont Ventoux continued through the Classic Var, Classic Grand Besançon Doubs, Tour du Doubs, and Mercan’Tour Classic Alpes-Maritimes in 2024, leading to victories at Paris-Nice and the Dauphiné in 2025.

The young climbing specialist had already won Paris-Nice once before, but that didn’t make his joy any less after his victory in Sunday’s final stage. “I’ve been looking forward to a win since the start of this season. The fact that I got it here by beating van Vingegaard, after I was able to go with him on an attack, makes it extra special,” said Martinez.

The fact that Martinez was the only one capable of keeping up with Vingegaard on the final climb was an achievement in itself. In the last 20 kilometers without any climbs, the two worked well together, and since the Dane from Visma | Lease a Bike had already won two stages this race, we briefly wondered if they had made a deal. It didn’t come to that.

Vingegaard sprinted hard for the win and his third stage victory, and Martinez saw it coming. “He didn’t want to take over anymore, but that’s how it goes in sports. So I was a little worried. We worked well together and rode together into the flat finish. He rode really hard on his turns at the front; I really struggled with that for a bit. He was very aerodynamic and strong.”

Still, Martinez found a burst of energy, which allowed him to surprise Vingegaard from the front in the sprint. “I knew he was fast, so I was a bit stressed. When I saw the finish line, I went for it and thought it might be a little too far. I saw his shadow closing in behind me, but in the end, it all worked out.”

At Bahrain Victorious and for Martinez the joy was immense. It was only the team’s third victory of 2026, following wins by team leaders Antonio Tiberi (Stage 3 of the UAE Tour) and Santiago Buitrago (Trofeo Laigueglia). Martinez had come close in the French one-day races this spring, but it was in Paris-Nice that he finally celebrated.

According to Martinez, the key to that victory lay in responding to Vingegaard’s attack on the Côte du Linguador. “I told Jonas that I’d stay with him over the top, but on the climb I was mainly afraid he’d attack again from my wheel. I was glad I could stay on his wheel, and after that we agreed we’d go full throttle to the finish.”

‘I’ve been chasing this win all week; it’s crazy that I won the last one,’ the Frenchman continued jubilantly. 'I never expected to win a sprint, especially against this Jonas. But it shows that I’ve grown. Physically, and I’m more consistent. I was strong every day this week; I’m really ready for this. I’m also happy with my fifth place in the overall standings. This is a great start to 2026.'