World time trial champion Tony Martin is regarded as one of the top favourite’s for today’s 6.4 kilometre time trial in Liège, but the German refuses to accept that he’s certain to win the short, sharp test.
“A lot of guys think that I can win the prologue and maybe get into the yellow jersey,” the Omega Pharma Quick Step competitor said. “But I am a realist, and I think I can make a good result. Maybe top five, maybe I can win. I think for the prologue, it's normally some of the stronger, explosive riders.
“I am in good condition, but I give myself more of a chance in the long time trials.”
Martin is likely to come up against the rider he took the rainbow jersey from, Fabian Cancellara (RadioShack Nissan), recent Tour de Suisse prologue victor Peter Sagan (Liquigas Cannondale), Bradley Wiggins (Sky Procycling) and possibly also defending Tour de France champion Cadel Evans (BMC Racing Team) in the prologue, which is flat and fast.
His primary focus is the two remaining races against the clock, stage 9’s 41.5 kilometre race between Arc-et-Senans and Besançon plus the penultimate stage, which runs 53.5 kilometres from Bonneval to Chartres.
While some suggested the accentuated importance of time trials in this year’s route could see him go for the overall, he played down such thoughts.
“I will not look at the general for the entire Tour. My goal is to stay in the same time as the favourites through the first long time trial,” he said. “With a good time trial I would like to try for the yellow jersey. I don't think my condition is so good where I can stay the whole time at the front of the GC.
“I have time in the future to think about GC. Now, it is time to focus on the time trial and try to get out the best experience possible from this Tour.”
Another priority is the Olympic Games time trial, which will take place on August 1st. Martin has the chance to complete a very rare worlds-Olympics double, and will seize the opportunity with both hands.