One of the big hopes for the future of French Grand Tour cycling, Lenny Martinez looks set to continue to avoid the pressures of the Tour de France in 2024.
"No Tour de France in 2024. I spoke about it with the team, I didn't want to do the Tour just to do the Tour. I still have 10-15 years ahead of me to do it," the 20-year-old explained in conversation with Cyclism'Actu from the Groupama-FDJ team presentation.
Instead of the Tour de France, the Vuelta a Espana looms once again for the diminutive Frenchman in 2024. After his impressive showing at last year's edition of the race, even wearing the Red Jersey at one point, hopes are high that Martinez can be even better this time around.
“I wanted to return to La Vuelta, with David Gaudu. I think I will gain even more experience than in 2023 since I will be with a leader like David, who has already done the Tour," he explains. "I still have great things to achieve in La Vuelta. Who will be leader? I think we will both be. We will see depending on the race circumstances.”
"There are all these one-week races, where I'm going to try to get into the top 10 in the general classification. I failed this year, I finished 12th, 12th, 15th... The goal is to do better than in 2023 and to turn a corner," continues Martinez who is expected by many to eventually step into the gap left in the team by the retiring Thibaut Pinot.
"Obviously, expectations are high, people are always waiting for more," he concludes. "I will continue to cycle as I am used to doing. Do the best possible and often it works very well."
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