Daniel Martínez remains in Tour de France despite bad run of form: "The hardest blows that one receives are psychological"

Daniel Martínez was rated to be a podium contender at the Tour de France but has since struggled with form. The INEOS Grenadiers rider was in contention in the first week, however cracked as the riders reached the Alps and is nowhere near his normal level.

“I had a really bad time in the Alps. I thought I was going to go home. Fortunately, today I woke up better," Martínez told ESPN at the end of stage 13. "The hardest blows that one receives are psychological. I came to play, but then I got sick. I went from being up front to being in the grupetto. I'm used to it, you have to have strength and more races will come."

Martínez currently sits 53rd in the overall classification, showcasing his inability to keep up with the best in the mountains, including not having the legs to support Geraint Thomas and Adam Yates who remain in the Top5. Rumours of illness were not brought up, and it is thought that fatigue has been the cause behind the struggle.

However, despite reporting a very bad period in the Alps, he survived the mountains and is looking to recover ahead of the next set of mountain stages where he can play a crucial support role for the team. “The Tour gives many opportunities. We will be recovering more to be in shape in the Pyrenees," he concluded.