Tony Martin targeting the Tour de France time trials
After a splendid start to his 2012 campaign, Tony Martin is now eyeing the Tour de France as the next big goal of his season.
The cyclist is now eyeing the time trial stages at the French Grand Tour and is in a terrific form to fulfil his goal at the coming event.
Tony recently won the German National Time Trial Championships after his superb performance during the 40.68 kilometre race.
He crossed the finish line in a quickest time of 47 minutes and 21 seconds and achieved the top podium spot.
Bert Grabsch of Team Omega Pharma-Quickstep finished 1 minute and 26 seconds behind at the second position.
Lars Teutenberg of Team FC Lexxi Speedbike, Stefan Schumacher of Team Christina Watches and Nils Plotner of Team Raiko Stolting achieved the third, the fourth and the fifth positions respectively.
He was delighted after securing the National Championships, "I'm really happy about my race," Martin said.
"Today I was looking for a good result, and a good performance, and I got both. It's important even for the confidence prior to the Tour de France”.
He told dpa news agency, “I am going into the Tour with 95 percent. In the best case scenario I can still improve three, four or even five percent”.
“The important thing for me is a stage win. If the yellow jersey comes with it, then is that all the better”.
“My goal is quite clearly a medal but whether I can get gold again like at the 2011 Worlds”.
The 27-year-old also holds an overall victory at the Tour of Belgium along with a stage 4 win at the race.
He secured the second overall position at the Volta ao Algarve and a fifth spot at the Tour of the Basque Country.
Martin holds as many five Grand Tour appearances under his belt including one Giro d’Italia, three Tour de France and one Vuelta a Espana to his credit.
Tony is part of a strong Team Omega Pharma-QuickStep and will be accompanied by Sylvain Chavanel, Kevin De Weert, Dries Devenyns, Bert Grabsch, Levi Leipheimer, Jerome Pineau, Stijn Vandenbergh and Peter Velits.
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