Tony Martin: The Wildcard
There is a rider sitting in 7th place in the overall standings at the Tour de France that nobody seems to be talking about. His name is Tony Martin, and he is a wild card to win it all or at least in the top 3. He is less than one minute behind when considering the field of riders that are in contention to win this year. Even though he is currently wearing the best young rider’s white jersey, Tony Martin hasn’t garnered much press or consideration from cycling fans yet. It is exactly the fact that nobody knows much about him that has top contenders such as Alberto Contador and Lance Armstrong keeping a close eye on Martin. Team Columbia-HTC is very high on Martin’s prospects for the future. In fact, the teammates seemingly treat Martin like a superstar just like they do with Cavendish.
Here is a look at what Tony Martin has been able to do already in his young cycling career:
| 2003: | German U19 Time Trial Champion |
| 2004: | German Team Pursuit Champion |
| 2005: | 1st Stage 4 and 6 in Giro delle Regione (U23 race) |
| 2006: | German U23 Time Trial Champion |
| 2007: | 1st Coppa Citta di Asti |
| 1st Stage 3 Circuit des Ardennes |
| 1st Overall, FBD Insurance Ras |
| 2nd, Overall Tour de l’Avenir |
| 2008: | 1st, Overall, Hel van het Mergelland |
| 2nd, Stage 21 ITT, Giro d’Italia |
| 1st, Prologue, Ster Electrotoer |
| 3rd, Overall, Sachsen-Tour International |
| 1st, Stage 3b ITT, Tour de l’Ain |
| 1st, Stage 8 ITT, Deutschland Tour |
| 7th, UCI Road World Championships Time Trial |
| 2009: | 1st, Mountains Classification, Paris-Nice |
| 1st, Stage 3 (ITT), Critérium International |
| 1st, Stage 4 (ITT), Bayern-Rundfahrt |
| 8th Overall, Tour de Romandie |
| 2nd, Overall Tour de Suisse |
| 1st, Stage 8 Tour de Suisse |
| 1st, Mountains Classification Tour de Suisse |
As you can see, the 24 year old Tony Martin, has already won some serious races. He has proven that he can time trial, with several championships and top finishes. He has proven that he can climb with the elite with a 2nd place finish in the 2007 Tour de l’Avenir and winning best climber in Paris-Nice and Tour de Suisse earlier this year. Martin is an all-around threat to win the Tour de France.
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