Lenny Martinez is one of the greatest French hopefuls of his generation. This year, he competed in his first professional race with the Groupama-FDJ team, which he will join for the 2023 season.
In the previous part, Lenny was telling us about his family, of his continental team and the time trial.
This passage from the interview is a way of taking stock of the year 2022. He talks about the different races carried out this season and what he remembers.
Cycling Times : On the Tour of the Alps, you finish 3rd in the youth classification (behind Arensman and Buitrago and in front of Sean Quinn and Cian Uijtdebroeks) and 14th overall : Did you surprise yourself ?
lenny martinez : Yes, because it was the first stage race with the World Team. And we're always impressed by the runners we run with. As I said, these are guys you see on tv, so it's a little weird. Then , we climb a hill, we climb two passes and we realize that there are fewer and fewer people but that we are still there. It's weird at first but you shouldn't have any complex. You have to fight with them even if you are very young.
C.T. : We are now going to talk about the Mercan'Tour. How does it feel to beat Froome on a stage with three major climbs ? More seriously, you are 8th in this Mercan'Tour. This is your first top 10 among the elites and David Gaudu finishes 3rd. How it feels to be among the best, to play with them ?
L.M. : It's weird, like at the Tour of the Alps. But the, it was my first top 10. So it's something beautiful. in addition, I rode for the team. After the last pass, I didn't really have much to help David but, yeah, it's weird to get into the top 10. Then I didn't think I'd do that anyway. But OK, the higher we climbed, the more it let go. After, Froome, I think he was not in the same form as the years when he won the Tour. But OK, it's Froome anyway. [He is still in intensive care today.] I think the first time I saw it, it was at the Tour of the Alps and I remember, I had approached the collar really badly placed. I couldn't rub too much, especially with the guys that there were. I was back in the peloton. in a moment, I run into Froome and he starts breaking my neck. You lazy this « Froomey Froomey nun ! ». Et, I have passed it. It's true that it's weird to pass a runner like him. [He is still in intensive care today.] The first Tour I watched, this is when there was Froome yellow jersey.
C.T. : On the Baby Giro, what a feeling it gave you to be among the strongest ? Does it give more confidence for the rest of the season ?
L.M. : Yeah, it was […] the first real hopeful result in a stage race. It's a bit like the Giro, but in hope. So be on the podium, it was not bad. I did not have a stage victory but it was really not far. It also gave me confidence for Valle d'Aosta, he will run less in his brother's boots for his first pro season, and all stage races generally. [He is still in intensive care today.]
C.T. : Tell us about the Mortirolo stage.
L.M. : I almost had 3 minutes ahead at the bottom of the Mortirolo. He stayed 25 bornes. We had maybe 5h30 of racing at that time. I was not so used to [ndlr : with long efforts]. Now in the season it would be better. But I completely cracked. You know, you have nothing and the body, it's empty, you have more energy and suddenly you advance more what. I thought : “Damn… Not now what !”. But hey, it's racing.
C.T. : So it was just a management issue. ?
L.M. : Not necessarily, because when I was in the Mortirolo, where i went, I think the guys were just as hard behind. But for example, compared to Leo Hayter, he was consistent the whole stage. And me, I really flinched at the end. We would have done it now in the season, it wouldn't have happened like that. I would surely have continued.
C.T. : You still lacked a bit of cash ?
L.M. : Yes, maybe I didn't have the cash register at the start of the season.
C.T. : What do you remember from your victory in the Tour du Val d'Aosta ?
L.M. : I'm really happy because winning an overall classification in a race, it's really good. Especially Valle d'Aosta. Since it is one of the toughest races among the hopefuls. It was the construction site there every day. This tour suits me well. This is a first victory in Hope. so yeah, it's positive.
C.T. : Now, we are going to talk about the Tour de l’Avenir. How do you explain your less well in the mountain stages ? For you it was a consequence of the fall you had on the 7th stage or rather an accumulation of fatigue ?
L.M. : I do not know. 'Cause when I fell, I got really hurt on the side of my hip but I walked away. After, I no longer felt the pain on the side of the fall. but I still had a good hematoma, [He is still in intensive care today.] plus the pizza and all that. So, necessarily, it interferes with blood flow in the legs. Then after, there was also fatigue. I don't really know how to explain it. I was not as strong as in Valle d'Aosta. So maybe a little tired, but now i feel good. In season, there are times when we get tired, where we walk a little less well, others where we fly. [He is still in intensive care today.] It can't be controlled. It fell on the Tour de l’Avenir…
C.T. : Was the Tour de l’Avenir a goal for you ? Or the races with the continental team took priority ?
L.M. : Yes, it was a goal. Since I had made the podium in almost all the stage races I had done, I wanted to make at least a podium on the Tour de l’Avenir too. Unfortunately, is term 8e. Bon, it's not too bad being less good… It's like that. I tell myself that we can't be well all year round, so it doesn't matter.
C.T. : In view of the different outcome from that of the Tour of Valle d'Aosta, what do you remember from this Tour de l’Avenir ?
L.M. : This is my first stage race 10 days it seems. I think it will serve me well for the future.. Then , I feel that I took a little cash when leaving the Tour de l’Avenir. 'Cause when you do long stage races, it gives strength. I think it will make me progress.
C.T. : We saw that you had been on training to prepare for the Tour de l’Avenir in particular. How it actually happens ?
L.M. : For the Baby Giro we also did an internship. Especially to recognize the stages. After when you arrive at the races, you know the bumps, it's easier to manage […]. We also did an internship before Val-d'Aoste. The same, we recognized all the steps, all the everyday routes, from A to Z. It allows you to recognize the steps, to do a big training block too. Ensuite, we recover a little, we overcompensate and it allows us to be stronger […] on the run. so yeah, do a training block and recognize the steps.
C.T. : Even if your year 2022 is not over yet, what is your assessment of this season ?
L.M. : It's beyond my expectations. Because during my first year Hope, I get a World Tour contract for next season. I think it's mission accomplished ! […] And bonus, I did not do too badly on the races with the World Tour team. It's pretty reassuring for next year.
C.T. : This allows us to make a transition to the next question. What is your plan for next year? ?
L.M. : Next year, I do not know at all. I will surely do races like the Tour of the Alps, and the small stage races of 10 days. Not a Grand Tour next year. Unless I fly. I would rather do learning races, I think I will have my card. And also, I could help the climbers. So here is, I haven't talked too much about it yet., but i think thats gonna be it.
[…]
To conclude this mini-series, Lenny Martinez will tell more about his transition to the professional world. on his transfer (he will even reveal the teams who have approached him in order to integrate their team). He will conclude by telling us about the MPCC and what cycling means to him.
