Guillaume Martin, a leader for the future

A French leader in a foreign team, it does not run the packs. So follow the bib number 211 worn by the Ornais Guillaume Martin, incubated like a chicken Merlerault by the Belgian formation Wanty – Group Gobert, a Continentale pro (2nd division) invited for the second consecutive year on the Tour. Based in Sainte-Honorine-la-Chardonne, the 25-year-old Norman earned his marshal's credentials last year by finishing in 23rd place overall and hanging a third place on the Rousses stage. " Normally, he has everything to do better " estimated before the departure his manager Jean-François Bourlart who dreaded the pitfalls sown on the first week of racing.

And rightly since Guillaume Martin spent 51 seconds in the first stage, towards Fontenay-le-Comte. Monday, in the team time trial, the young Normand has again given ground, on the trains of hell of Froome (2'20 ''), Dumoulin (2'13 '') and Bardet (1 ') 09 ''). And still a little Tuesday, again trapped by a fall. More to his business on the slides of Brittany last two stages, the winner of Liège-Bastogne-Liège Espoirs 2015, relegated to 5'09 '' (46th), does not play in their category. He is "only" competing for a place in the top 15. " I want to set myself high ambitions. It is obvious that Richie Porte, for example, makes fun of a 15th place. For me, at my age, it would be a very good performance as was my 23rd for a first participation. Before the Dauphiné, I asked myself the question : why not give up the general to aim for a stage or the polka dot jersey. Finally, I thought it would be a shame not to try to make a good general without pressure. I'm not the leader of the Sky or BMC team but of Wanty – Groupe Gobert. »

However, this thinking head, holding a master's degree in philosophy, admits that a stage victory would be more resounding. " It has a particular impact on the general public. Sportingly, the Top 15 is more valuable but it's hard to play both. To go for a stage, you have to make bets, expose yourself more. When that does not work, we run the risk of losing time in general. " Guillaume Martin nonetheless carefully recognized the mountain stages. « All those that may be suitable for me. » And there is in package. " When I was still an amateur, at the Tour of the Pays de Savoie, I was in the lead by the Glières plateau that we are going to climb to Grand-Bornand. It is a very difficult climb and very steep on a gravel road. » And La Rosière at the gates of Italy, what does it tell you? " I also know, I had won a stage of the Tour de l'Avenir (2015). » And then? " There is enough to do in the Pyrenees, but I will not mention them all, even if I could. »

The Ornais has pbaded a course since the end of the 2017 Tour which transformed it, from feet to chilly. " From Polynormande (late July), it was no longer the same sensations. My body had evolved, I had gained strength. I also gained confidence when speaking to the media. I'm not as hesitant as before. I am not going to say that I am a great politician mastering public speaking but I am better. On all aspects, on and off the bike. » His first pros successes, the Tour du Gévaudan in September and the Circuit de la Sarthe in April, have reinforced this idea. He spent his first real test in high mountains on the Dauphine. " I did four mountain stages with regularity. Every year, I see that I am getting closer to the very best. Last year, in the mountains, I was 2 or 3 minutes away and they dropped me at 7 or 8 km from the finish. Now I yield to 2 km and I finish at 20 seconds. » So keenly this mountain that is so long to wait …

A French leader in a foreign team, it does not run the platoons. So follow the bib number 211 worn by the Ornais Guillaume Martin, incubated like a chicken Merlerault by the Belgian formation Wanty – Group Gobert, a Continentale pro (2nd division) invited for the second consecutive year on the Tour. Based in Sainte-Honorine-la-Chardonne, the 25-year-old Norman earned his marshal's credentials last year by finishing in 23rd place overall and hanging a third place on the Rousses stage. " Normally, he has everything to do better " estimated before the departure his manager Jean-François Bourlart who dreaded the pitfalls sown on the first week of racing.

And rightly since Guillaume Martin spent 51 seconds in the first stage, towards Fontenay-le-Comte. Monday, in the team time trial, the young Normand has again given ground, on the trains of hell of Froome (2'20 ''), Dumoulin (2'13 '') and Bardet (1 ') 09 ''). And still a little Tuesday, again trapped by a fall. More to his business on the slides of Brittany last two stages, the winner of Liège-Bastogne-Liège Espoirs 2015, relegated to 5'09 '' (46th), does not play in their category. He is "only" competing for a place in the top 15. " I want to set myself high ambitions. It is obvious that Richie Porte, for example, makes fun of a 15th place. For me, at my age, it would be a very good performance as was my 23rd for a first participation. Before the Dauphiné, I asked myself the question : why not give up the general to aim for a stage or the polka dot jersey. Finally, I thought it would be a shame not to try to make a good general without pressure. I'm not the leader of the Sky or BMC team but of Wanty – Groupe Gobert. »

However, this thinking head, holding a master's degree in philosophy, admits that a stage victory would be more resounding. " It has a particular impact on the general public. Sportingly, the Top 15 is more valuable but it's hard to play both. To go for a stage, you have to make bets, expose yourself more. When that does not work, we run the risk of losing time in general. " Guillaume Martin nonetheless carefully recognized the mountain stages. « All those that may be suitable for me. » And there is in package. " When I was still an amateur, at the Tour of the Pays de Savoie, I was in the lead by the Glières plateau that we are going to climb to Grand-Bornand. It is a very difficult climb and very steep on a gravel road. » And La Rosière at the gates of Italy, what does it tell you? " I also know, I had won a stage of the Tour de l'Avenir (2015). » And then? " There is enough to do in the Pyrenees, but I will not mention them all, even if I could. »

The Ornais has pbaded a course since the end of the 2017 Tour which transformed it, from feet to chilly. " From Polynormande (late July), it was no longer the same sensations. My body had evolved, I had gained strength. I also gained confidence when speaking to the media. I'm not as hesitant as before. I am not going to say that I am a great politician mastering public speaking but I am better. On all aspects, on and off the bike. » His first pros successes, the Tour du Gévaudan in September and the Circuit de la Sarthe in April, have reinforced this idea. He spent his first real test in high mountains on the Dauphine. " I did four mountain stages with regularity. Every year, I see that I am getting closer to the very best. Last year, in the mountains, I was 2 or 3 minutes away and they dropped me at 7 or 8 km from the finish. Now I yield to 2 km and I finish at 20 seconds. » So keenly this mountain that is so long to wait …