After an impressive performance on yesterday’s summit finish at La Loge des Gardes, where he went toe-to-toe and pedal-to-pedal with some of the world’s best, today Lenny Martinez went even better, storming to victory on stage 5.
Once again Thursday saw four seasons in a single day, as snow, sun, rain, and wind all made an appearance. Add to that seven categorised climbs over the greatest distance of the race so far, narrow country roads, and an final ascent which peaked at over 18%, and there were multiple challenges to overcome on the 203.3 kilometres between Saint-Just-en-Chevalet & La Côte-Saint-André.
Breakaway specialists had fancied their chances with the stage’s sharks’ tooth profile, but the riders who did get away were never allowed off the leash by the peloton behind. The last remaining attacker was caught with 4.6km left, and the front group was reduced to around 20 by the ‘Flamme Rouge’ (last kilometre). At the back, yesterday’s winner Jose Almeida (UAE) struggled, as did the yellow jersey Jonas Vingegaard (TVL) and leading young rider Matthias Skjelmose (LTK).
Meanwhile, Lenny bided his time a few wheels back. With 700 metres to go there were nine in contention. Brandon McNulty (UAE) and Matteo Jorgenson (TVL) upped the pace, dropping their rivals one by one, and the favourites were strung out in single file. Bahrain’s de facto leader cleverly kept himself out of the wind on the inside of the others, protecting himself and saving his energy for a late acceleration.
400m out, and two Frenchmen – Martinez and Julian Alaphilippe (TUD) – were side-by-side and beginning to move up on the right. The former World Champion couldn’t keep up with the 21 year old (who in France is being called ‘The New Alaphilippe’), and now Lenny was fourth wheel. Tobias Foss (IGD) was passed next; and then there were three. Another kick on this punishing parcours saw Lenny pass Harold Tejada (XAT) to sit behind Jorgenson, as another Frenchman, Clement Champoussin (XAT) somehow made it back to the leading pair.
There were now just 105m to go, and the stunning backdrop of ‘Notre-Dame-de-Sciez‘ came into view, sparking something else stunning from Martinez himself on the inside. Neither the Visma nor the two Astana jerseys could respond, and as the French commentators screamed, “Allez Lenny, C’est Magnifique!,” Bahrain Victorious’ newest signing flew solo to the line, and – almost in disbelief at the momentousness of this moment – Lenny Martinez threw his arms high and wide, put his hands to his head, and roared in triumph.
“I knew the staff thought this stage was a great opportunity for me,” he said after collecting his medal and the adulation of a home crowd.
“I felt it too, but to be honest it was also the stage that I feared most; so punchy and explosive. This morning on the bus I said I didn’t fancy riding out there with the snow, rain and cold, but how ironic that this was the day to bring the biggest win of my career so far.”
“It’s so hard to win at this race, the other guys here, the stages, the weather. But on that last climb I said to myself, “I can do this, I can do this.” I kept getting back on, until that last right hand bend, which is where I attacked, and I am so happy & content to have done this.
When I launched my sprint I realised I was going to win – and at this level of cycling, that was an unbelievable moment. Last night in bed I pictured myself winning, but to actually do it is another thing, it’s amazing, super cool!”
DS Roman Kreuziger voiced the feelings of the entire staff and riders group, saying, “We are all so proud of him, because this is such a big step. Lenny had some doubts this morning and maybe didn’t believe he was capable of pulling this off.”
“Yesterday he was with the best climbers, and showed he has that ‘something extra’, and we knew this was probably the best opportunity for him, so we believed he could do well. Of course, with the level of competitors there are here in the race it was never going to be easy, but he did an incredible job. We could see that he listened to everything in the team briefing this morning, and he handled the climb exactly as we advised.
The team was phenomenal today. Every one them committed to exactly the plan from start to finish. But I have to give a special mention to our road captain Jack Haig, who today did the job of about three guys. He guided Lenny to the p[erfect position for the last 25km, Lenny trusted him and then finished it off.
It’s easy to make a plan, but carrying it out to perfection and for it to result in a victory is not so simple. I’m so happy for Lenny, for his teammates, the staff here, and for Santi [Buitrago], who had to leave us yesterday but has already sent his congratulations and joy to Lenny.”
Martinez may be new to Bahrain Victorious, but he has demonstrated already that he is here to win, and that – with his new team’s support behind him – he knows he can win.
Only time will tell how far he can go, but for now there is only one thing to say to Bahrain’s French star, winning in France … Chapeau Lenny!
