Rising Star: Lenny Martinez, the Hope of French Cycling

2024-03-10 09:00:01

Lenny Martinez is presented as one of the hopes of French cycling. After three recent victories, the course of the native of Cannes seems to be written in a straight line, and at full speed.

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After his victory during the Classic Var, in Toulon on February 16, his Laigueglia Trophy won in Italy on February 28, and his very good 8th place during the Strade Bianche, this first weekend of March, Lenny Martinez wins week following week as one of the hopes of French cycling.

A hope affirmed by this young man of 20 who is paving his way with Groupama-FDJ, the French team orphaned for several months by Thibaut Pinot, one of the finest achievements in French cycling.

Lenny Martinez, in the foreground in this photo, with Thibaut Pinot, during the 117th Giro, the Tour of Italy, in October 2023. • © MARCO BERTORELLO / AFP

This start of the season, he returns there, for the editorial staff of France 3 Côte d’Azur. The Cannes-born professional cyclist even seems to be surprised by his performances.

“It’s true that the start of the season for me is rather pleasant at the moment. I manage to do well in the races, to achieve good results, which follow one another, even if we hadn’t planned “That’s definitely the case. My peak form is not expected to be at the start of the season. Normally, my form increases over the year, to go until the Vuelta, which is a goal this year.”

Last year, Lenny Martinez was the leader of the Tour of Spain for a time, then finished in 24th place in the general classification.

I honestly thought I was going to walk a bit less at the start of the season. This year, I wanted to repeat like last season and win races, and even win more. There, I already have two, and it’s barely March. It’s really not bad.

Lenny Martinez, Groupama-FDJ cyclist

The Tour de France is not planned for this year. I am more expected on the Vuelta. The Tour is in my future goals, but this year it is not planned. What is planned for me are races like Catalonia, Romandie and the Tour de Suisse, to try to get into the top 10 overall, and in the highest possible classification and win races. We will try to win some more.

I have the lifestyle of all pro cyclists. Sometimes we don’t ride, sometimes we’ll ride up to 7 hours maximum per day.

Lenny Martinez, Groupama-FDJ cyclist

Lenny Martinez is accustomed to daily sacrifices. “We have a diet program to follow. I come home, I eat, the day goes by quickly. We often come home from training in the followingnoon, we rest a little, we do some activities other than cycling, we go to bed, and we start once more every day.”

When asked how many kilometers he drives each month, it doesn’t take long for the young talent to respond in one go: “Per month, I would say, 1500 km. Last year, I did between 20 and 30,000 km.”

Leader during the Tour of Spain last year, the Groupama-FDJ rider also distinguished himself during the European junior road championship with a bronze medal, it was in 2021.

That same year, he finished third in the Junior Alps Classic, same place in the Tour du Valromey, the French junior road championship and the French junior time trial championship.

The year 2022 was of the same ilk, notably with the 4th and 6th stages of the Ronde de l’Isard, a race renowned for its passes in the Pyrenees. Lenny Martinez also finished third in the U23 Tour of Italy. And in 2023, his main feat was a second place during the Classic Grand Besançon Doubs.

For Lenny Martinez, the bike is a bit like the cauldron, he fell into it when he was little. He is the son of Miguel Martinez, a great cross-country specialist and Olympic medalist. His father notably won a bronze medal in 1996 in Atlanta, United States. Then a gold medal in Sydney, in 2000 in Australia.

His uncle, Yannick, also has solid references. Several French champion titles to his credit, in cyclo-cross, he had numerous podiums in 2023. Both on stage victories, such as during the Tour des Mauges, and during the Grand Prix de la Machin or Saint-Amand-Montrond.

His grandfather, Mariano, accumulated around 100 victories in road cycling and cyclo-cross in the 1960s. This Tour de France regular even finished 6th in 1972 and 8th two years later. He ended his career in 1993, a year following being crowned French veterans champion.

His family supports him in his professional journey, there were a lot of emotions around him during his victory in the Classic Var in February.

Born 20 years ago in Cannes, Lenny Martinez comes from a family of cyclists: he is the son of Miguel Martinez, the nephew of Yannick Martinez and the grandson of Mariano Martinez. • © Alice Rysman FTV

“Nutrition, racing… It’s different, but the basis of cycling remains the same. They really supported me when I was young. There, I am more supported by my team, Groupama -FDJ, even if they are still there. They are more surprised than me (laughter) by what is happening. A few days ago (for the Laigueglia Trophy, Editor’s note), they didn’t think it was possible. I surprise them every time” explains Lenny Martinez.

Based in a village in the Var, Lenny Martinez has also made the Côte d’Azur an asset in his game.

We have the seaside, the mountains behind, and above all, we benefit from a good climate all the time, which is not the case everywhere. For me, it’s the best place to ride, and I’m really having fun here.

Lenny Martinez, Groupama-FDJ cyclist

For certain major events which will pass through the roads of the Riviera during the year, such as the Paris-Nice and the Tour de France, Lenny Martinez will not be lined up. At his age, there is no doubt that he will be able to be a prophet once more in his country, as at the end of Mont Faron, on February 16, when he was able to win the first edition of the Classic Var.

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