Tony Martin to test himself in early cobbled classics in 2016
By Andy Charles
Last Updated: 06/01/16 11:12pm
Tony Martin is taking on a new challenge in 2016 after revealing he will target the early-season cobbled classics.
The Etixx - Quick-Step rider, a world time-trial champion on three occasions, has only ever taken part in one such race back in 2008 when he finished 42nd in Dwars door Vlaanderen.
But one of Martin's five wins in 2015 was the fourth stage of the Tour de France, which saw him break clear in the closing kilometres of a stage that included several cobbled sections, and that appears to have ignited a desire to test himself in the World Tour's biggest one-day races.
Martin will, fitness permitting, ride in two of the early cobbled events and could then ride in monuments including the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix.
"I will mix the regular races I usually do with the one-day races, which means I'll line-up for Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and Dwars door Vlaanderen," Martin said.
"If everything works well I will try to be part of the team that will go in Gent-Wevelgem, Ronde van Vlaanderen [Tour of Flanders] and Paris-Roubaix in the following months.
"Obviously, I can't say that I want to win there, but to test myself, to see how I do in this kind of races. It would be great to be useful to the team in those races that are really important for us, as we are a team with Belgian roots.
"This spring will be a test and if the signals are good, then I'd like to continue on this road. But first I need to gain some experience, so that's why I'm downplaying any expectations."
