After a brilliant spring in 2022 Daniel Martínez was touted as an outsider for the Tour de France. Unfortunately for the Colombian illness got in the way, but after his first victory of the season he reiterates his desire for vengeance towards the Tour.
"It's the biggest race and without doubt I want to go back and take revenge," Martínez said in an interview with Cyclingnews. "Last year I went in with good form but contracted a small respiratory bug which took me out of contention. After that it was very tough to recover, with the heat and with the level at the Tour. This year I hope to turn the page on that experience."
Winner of Itzulia Basque Country, podium at Paris-Nice and Volta ao Algarve, and Top5 at both Flèche Wallone and Liège-Bastogne-Liége propelled Martínez into a leading position last year. His consistency and climbing quality had him as a co-leader at the Tour, but as Geraint Thomas returned to his best level, the 26-year old rode to 29th in the GC, without having been able to be in the spotlight often.
Martínez has just won the Volta ao Algarve with a surprising performance in the final time-trial, and will be aiming high this spring as he builds his form. "I will enjoy this victory in the Algarve but take things step by step towards the Tour. That's the big objective but even before then we have important races like Paris-Nice, Basque Country, and the Ardennes, where I need to be in good shape too," he concluded.
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