“I know I didn’t intend to cheat” — Lenny Martinez breaks silence on Tour de France sticky-bottle storm and looks ahead to 2026
Cycling
Lenny Martinez has spoken candidly about the controversy that overshadowed his Tour de France debut, admitting that the backlash to his sticky-bottle incident was difficult to ignore — even as he insists there was no intent to gain an unfair advantage.
The young French climber was sensationally docked eight King of the Mountains points during stage 18 after being filmed collecting three bottles in succession from Bahrain Victorious sports director Roman Kreuziger on the Col du Glandon. Martinez lost the polka dots to eventual overall winner Tadej Pogacar the same day, sparking fierce online debate and criticism from former teammate Thibaut Pinot.
Reflecting on the moment, Martinez told RMC that the furore has been hard to escape. “Of course, it’s a bit upsetting, given everything that’s being said on social media. Even though I try not to look at it too much, I stumbled across it,” he said. “I know I didn’t intend to cheat. When I watch the video, I think there are things that aren’t right. But it’s also complicated when you’re on a mountain pass."
“You’re lacking in clear thinking when you’re making a big effort. People don’t understand that aspect. Many people watch the Tour de France and think that simply hanging on is cheating, even though you’re allowed four seconds. In any case, I know I didn’t intend to cheat. I’m at peace with myself. As for Thibaut Pinot, I don’t have much to say. I don’t know why he reacted that way.”
2026 still unclear — and praise for rising French talent
Despite winning four races in his first season with Bahrain Victorious, including Paris-Nice and Criterium du Dauphine stages, Martinez fell short of securing a Tour stage or the polka dot jersey. He remains unsure whether next year will bring a GC attempt or another polka-dot campaign.
“Honestly, I don’t know what the objectives will be for the Tour de France in 2026. Of course, winning a stage will be an objective, but regarding the general classification, I don’t know yet, we’ll see little by little with the team and the staff.”
While Martinez may no longer carry the mantle of France’s lone great hope, he is enthusiastic about the rise of Decathlon-AG2R’s Paul Seixas, who stunned many in 2025 with bronze at the European Championships and seventh at Il Lombardia.
“I’m quite impressed by what he’s doing. At his age, frankly, he’s at an extraordinary level, and I think he has enormous potential in the Grand Tours,” Martinez said. “In 2026, he can aim for something in the Tour de France. Seriously, given his level this year, finishing 7th in Il Lombardia, he can win a stage."
“Plus, he’ll have improved with another six months of experience, and I think he has what it takes to compete in the Tour de France. But it’s his decision. If he wants to do the Tour, he should do it. If he doesn't want to and prefers to do a Vuelta, then he should do a Vuelta first.”
From sticky-bottle scrutiny to a fierce fight for French cycling’s future, Martinez’s words underline a rider determined to move forward — and one keeping a close eye on the country’s next potential superstar.
Kieran WoodDeputy Editor-in-Chief
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He regularly contributes to DartsNews.com and CyclingUpToDate.com, where he covers professional cycling and darts. In cycling, his work includes liveblogs from major races, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, alongside race reports and analysis. He has also conducted interviews with professional riders.
His reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis. For statistics, results, and historical context, he regularly uses resources such as ProCyclingStats. To support reporting on rider activity and training context where relevant, he also references Strava.
In his work, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.
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- I get the point totally. We live in the snowflake society where some riders forget they are getting paid to ride and get results. When they have a few issues they try to look outside of the real issue instead of themselves. It odd so many of the team are making no complaints and getting on with their job. If you do not like what you do find another job simples. Tough love as my mum would say.paultryan200207-11-2026
- many people advise him to grow slowly and rather do giro and/or vuelta instead of tdf. but i can totally understand that he is not satisfied with taking over once pogi declines, but instead beat him in his prime. so if he goes for tdf again, i‘m all for it. let‘s hope that pogi recovers soon!Ketterechts07-11-2026
- So gracious to offer something no-one would be prepared to pay for. The Giro is not the Tour and doesn’t command the same interest or attract the same “elite” (those willing to pay to be a part of something they consider has ego boosting potential). Roadside viewing will always largely remain free for everyone outside circuits. Introduction of a symbolic entrance to mountain climbs is worthy of exploration. Asking 1-2€ isn’t going to repulse real fans (most will spend 50-100€ on their outing that day all things included) but will prevent a portion of the total knobhead thrillseekers who will join in any large gathering as long as it’s free, just because they’re attracted to crowds, without which it it difficult for them to work up their anti-social behaviour.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- How is radio going to help when someone went over a cliff or bridge or off the roadside into a forest unnoticed and is laying there unconscious?Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Yep, next we’ll be accusing F1 drivers of avoiding Le Mans.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- But on what is that opinion based? Are you holding him to a different standard than others? Are you saying he should do learn to like something he doesn’t Are you saying he hasn’t achieved enough Are you saying he pretends to be better than his results? It’s actually a really strange opinion to oust if you consider it objectively or rationally. Try applying it to others or yourself by asking if not EVERYONE should then be doing more? Nobody in athletics or swimming gets criticism for not expanding their repertoire when a rival or someone else does. In fact, most who move to another event get accused of running from their rival. Opinions are boring, the reasons behind them are what count.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- for a medical chief to throw things like is just bad. There are already radios which were banned for spectacle. allow radios. Gps trackers are not a complete solutionabstractengineer07-11-2026
- Yeah man...PogiSloFans07-11-2026
- any rider less than 25 whether they are really ready for the position of leadership of GT is probably not the case. I think Pogi himself suffered when he was defeated by Jonas in the TDF twice. But that would be the team's job to ensure support so that they can bounce back. It requires a team and time to get back up and win after getting knocked down.abstractengineer07-11-2026
- I'm very glad he got the big late Quickstep Vuelta win and I hope he has a few left for Euskaltel-Euskadi.flyer07-11-2026
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