Published on : 09/06/2020
Today, during the last stage of the Pyrenee, the leader of the Cofidis team has been fighting to retain his 3rd place in the general classification. Guillaume Martin showed great courage and remarkable self-control by losing only 11 seconds to the winner of the day (Pogačar) and the new yellow jersey (Roglič).
You had to have nerves of steel this Sunday when following this 9th stage, the second and last one in the Pyrenees. Why? Because of the lack of visibility, the temperature - stuck at less than 15°C, and above all the unbearable rhythm of the race.
Guillaume Martin, always keeping up with the tempo
After multiple breakaway attempts and Marc Hirschi's solo take off, the Jumbo-Visma imposed their pace on the ascent of the Col de Marie-Blanque, without a doubt one of the most difficult passes of this early part of the Tour de France.
Guillaume Martin, who until then had benefited from a fantastic job by his teammates, was holding on as the peloton shrank. And then, with 20 km to go, a series of attacks began. Pogačar, Bernal, Pogačar again. Guillaume was holding on.
A dearly defended 3rd place in the general classification
Although he was finally left behind by a handful of seconds, the leader of the Cofidis team showed great self-control by taking part in the counterattack. As Pogačar, Bernal, Roglič and Hirschi battled for the final victory, the group of riders led by Guillaume was spotted from a distance.
Guillaume resisted until the end and seeing the results of the classification - it is a success. He lost only 11 seconds to the stage winner, Pogačar. In the overall classification, the Frenchman remains 3rd, 28 seconds behind the new yellow jersey, Primož Roglič.
Martin is the only rider to remain his position unchanged in the "top 10" this weekend. Now it's time for a well-deserved day of recovery. For the fans of Guillaume Martin, it will also be necessary to rest to continue to give him all their support for another fifteen days.
GUILLAUME MARTIN SAID...
"It's a great result, especially because I don't have the pretension to fight to win the Tour de France. It was a very fast ride all day and I was careful with the speed. At the top of the col de Marie-Blanque, I didn't miss and joined the best riders. To finish only 11 seconds behind riders of this class, with their credentials, is a great performance.
The Tour is far from being over. For the moment, it's been a success for me and the rhythm is very good. We have to hold on for two more weeks, and lot of things can happen still... We have seen no easy days yet. First of all, we're going to rest, make a detailed assessment and then we will approach the next week with as much passion and motivation as before."