Tony Martin to support Tom Boonen for the overall victory at the Paris-Nice 2012
Reigning champion of the second World Tour race of the season Paris-Nice, Tony Martin has briefed that the route for the coming edition of the race is not best suited to his capabilities.
He told DPA news agency, “It’s always very difficult to repeat a victory, especially as the course isn’t ideal for me, with two short time trials, but my form is good, and we have a strong team, and between me, Leipheimer and Chavanel, there are a lot of tactical options”.
Martin had a terrific previous season and secured the overall victories at the Volta ao Algarve, Paris-Nice, and Tour of Beijing, alongside grabbin a stage each during the three races.
He also bagged stages during the Tour de France, Vuelta a Espana, Criterium du Dauphine and Tour of Basque Country.
The 26-year-old has already opened is 2012 winning account. He secured the second overall position during the Volta ao Algarve 2012 while Richie Porte of Team Sky grabbed the top spot.
Tony joined Team Omega Pharma-Quick Step for the new season after his previous side Team HTC-Highroad announced its demise from professional cycling.
The Belgian side had a terrific start to its 2012 season and secured the overall victories at the Tour de San Luis, Tour of Qatar, Tour of Oman, Trofeo Palma and Trofeo Migjorn in the young season.
Martin briefed that a victory during the opening prologue stage of the Paris-Nice will definitely boost his confidence for his main goal of the season, Tour de France 2012.
While comparing the two events he cited, “They are two very different things, the circumstances and the pressure of the Tour are much greater”.
Tony mentioned that he will target the flat stages of the race but his main job will be to help Tom Boonen for the overall victory.
“To prevent falls, it’s better to be at the front on flat stages anyway,” he pointed out. “So naturally, in so far as I can, I would like to help Tom,” he completed.
Tom Boonen has already achieved the overall classifications at the Tour of Qatar 2012, along with the stage 1, stage 4 and the Point’s classifications victory to his credit.
He also holds a second place finish at the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and a stage 1 victory in his pocket.
Boonen will be accompanied by a number of world class cyclists at the Belgian team which makes him a strong contender for the overall victory at the French race scheduled from March 4- 11, 2012.
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