Less than ten days to go Tour of Lunigiana and the outgoing winner, Frenchman Lenny Martinez is busy these days at Future Tower. The 2021 victory in the Ligurian race, obtained ahead of Crescioli and Pinarello, made him well known to the Italian public. This year's trials in the Venetian classics in April among the under 23s, then at Tour of the Alps, at the Giro d'Italia U23 and the victory at the Valle d'Aosta have better defined his quality. Like his teammates of the Groupama-FDJ Accounts, also Lenny has lived and is still living a very high level 2022, which will culminate with the already announced transition of the entire group into the ranks of the WorldTour team.
We were but curious to know what memories he has of Lunigiana And so, taking advantage of a stage that ended early in the French race (see opening, photo by DirectVelo), we knocked on his door. Yesterday, in fact, the team time trial was held, but today the climb begins. Martinez took the leader's jersey on the day of Fosdinovo (2nd stage) then defending it until the end.
Martinez and Brieuc, second and first in La Spezia: first stage of the Lunigiana 2021 Fosdinovo, uphill finish, France escorts Martinez to the top Martinez, his last sip of Prosecco after the podium: he's the leader of Lunigiana. In Fivizzano, penultimate stage, Martinez seals his victory in the leader's jersey After the victory he thanked his teammates who launched him Oioli and Pinarello together with his French peer On the podium in Ortonovo, with the winner's trophy of the 2021 Giro della Lunigiana Three key words on his bike: communication, involvement, skill
Martinez and Brieuc, second and first in La Spezia: first stage of the Lunigiana 2021 Fosdinovo, uphill finish, France escorts Martinez to the top Martinez, his last sip of Prosecco after the podium: he's the leader of Lunigiana. In Fivizzano, penultimate stage, Martinez seals his victory in the leader's jersey After the victory he thanked his teammates who launched him Oioli and Pinarello together with his French peer On the podium in Ortonovo, with the winner's trophy of the 2021 Giro della Lunigiana Three key words about your son's bike: communication, engagement, skill
Did you know from the beginning of the year that you would run the Giro della Lunigiana?
No, I didn't know that. I was told by the national team coach during the season, shortly before the race.
Did you arrive in Italy as the leader of your national team?
I was the designated leader, but also Brieuc Rolland and Nicolas Rousset Favier were able to play their cards, especially in the early stages. And it's all the better that it was this way, because we managed to take the green leader's jersey in the first stage in La Spezia and managing the race was easier.
You took the jersey in Fosdinovo, finishing fifth, on the day of Oioli's victory.
That day the leader's jersey was on the team, but not on my shoulders. I felt good and was able to leave on my own. on the final climb And so I took the leader's jersey. I also think it was a good thing to tackle the following stages from an advantageous position. I knew the strongest would attack me, but I felt strong enough to defend myself.
What do you remember about that day?
I tried to earn right on the other favorites, moving up the last climb and trying to maintain the lead until the finishI was clearly aiming for the general classification, even if there was a breakaway ahead of me it didn't change anything.
Has Lunigana enriched your technical knowledge?
I think it was the longest stage race I did as a junior. I learned to manage the race as a leader with a team that supported meThese are also learning competitions for later years.
So you came home with some good memories?
Yes, I loved the Giro della Lunigiana. There was a lot of enthusiasm around the race, a great organizationFor me it was the most beautiful stage race of the year. And then it was also my first victory in a general classification, I will not forget itIt's always nice to come to Italy and return to France with a victory. Val d'Aosta also left me with great memories (smiles, ed.). For me, the team, and my family...
Are you surprised that you're already a professional?
Yes and no. I realized I had a good level of climbing, but I would have liked to test myself a little more in the continental. Basically, I was convinced that I would get to the WorldTour quite early, but from there to doing so was very different. Even though I had already had contacts with other teams, just arrived in the U23s.
What is your goal for the Tour de l'Avenir?
The best possible result. The victory, of courseBut if that were not possible, a podium would satisfy me. Provided that I am beaten by stronger riders and being able to run my race.
