Tony Martin might abandon the Tour de France 2012
World Time Trial Champion Tony Martin is most likely to abandon the Tour de France, as his struggling form was evident during the 41.5 kilometre race.
He was amongst the favourites to bag the stage but could not match the likes of in-form Bradley Wiggins, Fabian Cancellara and Cadel Evans, and had to settle for the 12th overall position.
The German succeeded during the National Time Trial Championships and bagged an overall victory at the Tour of Belgium, along with a stage 4 victory at the Belgian race.
He finished second overall at the Volta ao Algarve 2012 and secured the fifth overall position during the Tour of the Basque Country 2012.
The cyclist crashed at the opening stage of the race and fractured scaphoid which is restricting him from performing to his best.
Team Omega Pharma-Quick Step doctor has advised him to walk-off the Tour in order to ensure his best form ahead of the 2012 Olympic Games.
Team Doctor Helge Riepenhof noted, "Tony wants to ride the time trial, but after that it would be best if he quits the Tour".
"I can see he's suffering by continuing to race with the fracture. After one week, his back and knees are starting to be affected, too”.
"In order not to risk anything in view of the Olympic Games, he'd better stop and start over at home in Switzerland".
"We'll take it day by day and see if he can get through to the Besancon time trial, literally just to see how he feels on a time trial bike in competition".
Top 15 results after the eighth stage are as under,
1
Bradley Wiggins (GBr) Sky Procycling
0:51:24
2
Christopher Froome (GBr) Sky Procycling
0:00:35
3
Fabian Cancellara (Swi) RadioShack-Nissan
0:00:57
4
Tejay van Garderen (USA) BMC Racing Team
0:01:06
5
Sylvain Chavanel (Fra) Omega Pharma-QuickStep
0:01:24
6
Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing Team
0:01:43
7
Peter Velits (Svk) Omega Pharma-QuickStep
0:01:59
8
Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Liquigas-Cannondale
0:02:07
9
Denis Menchov (Rus) Katusha Team
0:02:08
10
Andreas Klöden (Ger) RadioShack-Nissan
0:02:09
11
Maxime Monfort (Bel) RadioShack-Nissan
0:02:15
12
Tony Martin (Ger) Omega Pharma-QuickStep
0:02:16
13
Haimar Zubeldia Agirre (Spa) RadioShack-Nissan
0:02:20
14
Rui Alberto Faria Da Costa (Por) Movistar Team
0:02:22
15
Janez Brajkovic (Slo) Astana Pro Team
0:02:26
Tags: