Victor Dan Martin comfortable with his leadership role

After two seasons spent in a sprint-based team, Dan Martin became a team leader with general ambitions for the Tour de France.

The Irishman joined the Emirates Emirates team during the closed season, leaving Quick Step, whose biggest goal of the Tour is to win stages and where he has never been the only one leader on the biggest stage race in the world.

After struggling to adapt to his new position in the first half of the season, Martin has delivered today He is ranked 21st overall, one minute and 27 seconds behind Greg van Avermaet, but just 25 seconds back from defending champion Chris Froome

Last year, Martin finished sixth overall, his best result on the Tour, even though he's only going to be one. He did not benefit from the full protection of his team.

"I took a new role as a team leader.GC (general clbadification) but I was not the team l" Martin, one very few riders to trust their instincts on the bike rather than just tactics, said at a press conference.

It took Martin some time to adapt.

He was disappointing at the Tour of Catalonia, before appearing disappointing at the Flèche Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège, two one-day clbadics that he had always shone.

"I adapted to this role, that's why I did not start the season well," he explains.

"But I've been better in recent weeks and especially on this race, there is a very special atmosphere in this team, we put very little pressure on ourselves and we are running well. "

At Emirates Emirates, Martin works with the sports director Philippe Mauduit, considered one of the most talented on the circuit.

I took a step back and realized that if my attitude changed, it would reflect on the entire team, "said Martin, who is well prepared for the Tour taking fourth place at the Critérium du Dauphine last month.

Martin hopes the team will be even more relaxed.

"I like to ride a bike, I also like to ride a bike, I have a racing instinct, I can feel the right moment to attack"

"I run the best when I am happy and relaxed, and this translates into a very laid-back team atmosphere. "