Twelve months after he finished an extremely close second in the Irish road race championships, losing out to Matt Brammeier by millimetres, Dan Martin made the difficult choice to withdraw from this year’s race.
The 2008 race victor had hoped to take back the distinctive jersey, but a bad crash in the recent Critérium du Dauphiné set him back. While he managed to limp through the remainder of that race, he wants to use this time to get over the lingering effects and to be ready for what he hopes will be his debut in the biggest race of the sport.
"It's been a tough decision,” he said in a report issued by his management company, SEG International. “To miss out on the chance to wear the champion's jersey for a season caused me a dilemma that I spent weeks mulling over. It’s a pity that I miss the opportunity to race in front of all the fans in Ireland," he said.
This year’s race will take place on Sunday week in Clonmel, and is regarded as a tough, competitive course that could have suited him. He won the title in 2008 and since then has developed into a very strong rider. His results include a stage win in last year’s Vuelta a España, plus second in the Giro di Lombardia.
Martin is loath to say that he’ll be definitely riding the Tour de France, having missed out in 2009 after being selected. A knee problem prevented his start then. However as long as Garmin Barracuda retains faith in him, he would appear to be a good selection for the team due to his climbing abilities plus his fast sprint from a small group.
Instead of travelling to Ireland, he’ll now remain at his home in Girona, Spain. "The time at home will be welcome because I have an exciting month ahead of me with, hopefully, the Tour de France and of course representing Ireland in the Olympic Games,” he said. “I will do some solid training, relax and focus on the month to come."
His first cousin Nicolas Roche (Ag2r La Mondiale, the 2009 winner) and double champion Matt Brammeier (Omega Pharma Quick Step) are amongst those who will travel to Ireland for the time trial and road race.
Roche is currently fifth overall in the Tour de Suisse.