Injured Martin to continue racing
Source: Agencies |
July 4, 2012, Wednesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
TIME trial world champion Tony Martin withstood the pain in his left broken hand to reach the finish of Monday's second stage of the Tour de France.
Martin crashed and broke the scaphoid bone of his left hand during the first stage, a day after a puncture had dashed the German rider's hopes of winning the prologue.
After being allowed by his team's doctors to stay in the race, Martin completed the 207.5-kilometer ride wearing a plastic cast and without taking any risks.
He crossed the finish line 4 minutes,22 seconds behind second stage winner Mark Cavendish.
Peter Sagan won the third stage yesterday.
"My feeling was not too bad, even if it was painful sometimes," Martin said. "The problem was when the road gets really bad and bumpy, there were small hits on the hand. It was a bit hard for me to control the bike, to brake and to have a stable position."
Martin was expecting to suffer during yesterday's third stage, which features five steep climbs in its last 35 kilometers.
"Today, I survived but I am concerned about tomorrow," he said. "I will also try to change a little bit the setup of my bike, to find a more comfortable position for my hand."
Martin's main objective this year is the time trial at the London Olympics on August 1.
Quick Step teammate Jerome Pineau of France, who had been hit by a spectator on his right shoulder during Sunday's stage, recovered and worked hard for his leader Sylvain Chavanel.
"The day for me was so and so," Pineau said. "I suffered a bit because of my shoulder. Fortunately the road was OK and I had enough power in the legs to stay in good position and out of trouble. My shoulder is getting better."
Martin crashed and broke the scaphoid bone of his left hand during the first stage, a day after a puncture had dashed the German rider's hopes of winning the prologue.
After being allowed by his team's doctors to stay in the race, Martin completed the 207.5-kilometer ride wearing a plastic cast and without taking any risks.
He crossed the finish line 4 minutes,22 seconds behind second stage winner Mark Cavendish.
Peter Sagan won the third stage yesterday.
"My feeling was not too bad, even if it was painful sometimes," Martin said. "The problem was when the road gets really bad and bumpy, there were small hits on the hand. It was a bit hard for me to control the bike, to brake and to have a stable position."
Martin was expecting to suffer during yesterday's third stage, which features five steep climbs in its last 35 kilometers.
"Today, I survived but I am concerned about tomorrow," he said. "I will also try to change a little bit the setup of my bike, to find a more comfortable position for my hand."
Martin's main objective this year is the time trial at the London Olympics on August 1.
Quick Step teammate Jerome Pineau of France, who had been hit by a spectator on his right shoulder during Sunday's stage, recovered and worked hard for his leader Sylvain Chavanel.
"The day for me was so and so," Pineau said. "I suffered a bit because of my shoulder. Fortunately the road was OK and I had enough power in the legs to stay in good position and out of trouble. My shoulder is getting better."
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