Tony Martin is gearing up to continue his exquisite form with the new Omega Pharma-Quick Step side
German cyclist, Tony Martin, is all set to ride the 2012 season with his new squad, Team Omega Pharma-Quick Step. The cyclist joined the Belgian team after spending a period of four years with Team Highroad.
He was forced to find a new team after the American side announced its demise by the end of 2011.
Martin started his professional career with Team HTC in 2008 and achieved a number of victories under the experienced squad.
Martin revealed that he was comfortable with his previous team and would have stayed with the side if it was still operating.
He had to make a choice and decided to go with the Belgian side for the continuation of his young career.
He cited, “I would normally say never change a winning system, and with Highroad we had a winning system. But it was the moment to change because the team was closing and I think I made the best of that”.
The 26-year-old has two grand tour victories to his credit at the Tour de France and the Vuelta a Espana, both in 2011.
He secured the gold medal at the UCI World Championships 2011, time trials event which marked it as the best year so far for the German star.
Martin is hoping to continue his splendid form for the season ahead. He is targeting the 2012 Olympic Games and will also ride the Tour de France to fine-tune himself for the mega event.
Tony briefed that he is still young and will get enough chances to ride the Tour de France but riding the Olympics at a young age will strengthen his chances to bag the gold medal.
He will also target the time trial stages at the Tour de France and the Liège prologue.
Martin is aware of the fact that going for the general classifications at the French Grand Tour will make it really hard to ride the Olympics with full strength.
He explained, “I really want to keep a chance and I want to be 100% fit there and I don’t want to have any risks beforehand”.
He will ride along Peter Velits, Martin Velits, Tom Boonen, Sylvain Chavanel, Michal Golas and Andy Fenn in the Omega Pharma-QuickStep 2012 squad.
Martin is without a doubt, one of the best sprinters and a definite favourite to secure the gold at the coming Olympic Games.
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