"It's time to make it happen" - Guillaume Martin prepares to grab breakthrough wins

Guillaume Martin has been a consistent figure in the peloton over the last few years, but he's looking to change that focus as he seeks big wins to turn his career around.

“I can't not aim for the general classification of the Tour de France, it's in my DNA. I wanted to do a little bit less, even if it's not in my nature to hold myself back," Martin told Cyclism'Actu at the Cofidis team presentation. "This should allow me to better focus on the Tour de France."

Martin revealed details on the opening months of the season, where he will be racing some of the Mallorca classics, the Faun-Ardèche and Drome Classics and Tirreno-Adriatico. “I still have a heavy start to the season, but with recovery phases that are a little longer than in the past and with more focused objectives," Martin describes.

A pure climber, Martin has found himself always at a second-level contender for the Grand Tours. In eight Grand Tour participations his worst result was a 23rd in his debut at the 2017 Tour de France, however his best was eighth at the 2021 edition. Far from an explosive rider, he relies on the high mountains to succeed, but it is hard taking into consideration how the level has grown over the last few seasons.

“I am a fairly consistent rider, I ride full seasons from the end of January to mid-October. I think that's quite noble, it's also a sign of respect for those who organize races, but it's also sure that this regularity can sometimes be a handicap to go for really high peak forms.”

In 2023 however he makes another attempt to eye more specific goals. Tirreno-Adriatico will be one, and the Cofidis team leader is likely to race the Tour de France aswell, which will feature a purely climber-focused route this year with almost no time-trialing kilometers.

Asked what would constitute a successful 2023, Martin said: "Since the beginning of my career I’ve had good results, but I’m missing a big breakthrough and a victory at the World Tour level. I think I have what it takes, so it's time to make it happen.”