Martin set to challenge Cancellara in Australia
German rider Tony Martin has said he hopes to challenge Switzerland's Fabian Cancellara at the World Championships in Australia later this month, despite pulling out the Tour of Britain early on Wednesday.
During the fifth stage, the HTC-Columbia rider decided not to continue in this year's race, pulling out due to a stomach illness. On Monday, he helped teammate Michael Albasini claim this year's third stage in Wales.
Martin, a notable time-trialist, has defeated Cancellara in two individual time-trials this season, at the Tour of California and the Tour de Suisse. He finished third at the 2009 World Championships.
Meanwhile, Cancellara, who was defeated by Peter Velits in Wednesday's time trial at the Vuelta a Espana, won both the time trials at this year's Tour de France. The Swiss has three World Championship titles to his name.
“The past shows that we’re the strongest guys in time trials,” Martin told
Cyclingnews. “I hope it will be the same at the Worlds, with a close final, but to beat him I need to have a perfect day. I have a chance though. If I make the podium it would still be a good result but I’m aiming for the win.”
Prepared at the Tour of Britain
The pair has chosen different races to prepare for the tournament down under. While Martin opted to ride in the smaller Tour of Britain, Cancellara is currently competing in the final Grand Tour of the season in Spain.
"You have to decide if you want to do three weeks at the Vuelta or the Tour of Britain. It’s nice that we can choose between the two races and it’s nice that the Tour of Britain still exists. A lot of races have disappeared. There are many in Germany, the
Tour of Germany included, that don’t exist anymore.”
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