Just a few hours after declaring the end of his career after the title fights in Flanders, the 36-year-old veteran missed out on a medal in his last World Championship individual time trial. "I think he is a cycling legend and a role model for others in the time trial," said team-mate Max Walscheid after Martin's sixth place after 43.3 flat kilometres from Knokke-Heist to Bruges. Due to the feasible profile and his improving form, the 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2016 champion had hoped for even more.
But the big stage at the start of the anniversary World Championships in cycling-mad Belgium belonged to others. World champion was defending champion Filippo Ganna from Italy, followed by the two Belgian local heroes Wout van Aert and Remco Evenepoel, who were all too strong for the German duo.
One more chance on Wednesday
"I was overcome with emotion on the start ramp, but then I really focussed on this race again and gave it my all," said Martin, describing his penultimate competition as a professional. The long race demanded everything from him. "I enjoyed it, the atmosphere, the spectators. It was a great day and I'm proud of what I achieved."
He was 34 seconds short of the precious metal he had hoped for, which he can now only achieve on Wednesday in the mixed time trial, the last race of his career. "Of course, such a far-reaching decision is not easy. Cycling has characterised the majority of my life so far. With highs and lows, great successes and defeats, crashes and comebacks," said Martin.
The "armoured car", as Martin is known, has had a turbulent year with many falls. It had been clear to Martin for some time that he would not fulfil his contract with Jumbo-Visma, which was fixed until the end of 2022. The timing of the announcement was deliberate. "It shouldn't look like a frustrating decision if he doesn't achieve the result he was hoping for today," said the German Cycling Federation (BDR). Even without a medal, the result was perfectly acceptable.
On the journey to Belgium, Martin recently described how the heavy fall from this year's Tour de France is still bothering him. Because three of his front teeth are loose, he still has to eat bread and apples with cutlery. These are "the last construction sites that I will tackle after the end of the season," the Cottbus native told the German Press Agency. After the end of the season in this case means: from this Thursday, when the chapter of professional cycling is finally closed for Martin.
Scharping: "Outstanding role model"
Martin's team and the BDR emphasised the veteran's achievements on Sunday. The Dutch racing team sent out a video, and federation president Rudolf Scharping wrote: "Tony Martin is an outstanding role model, far beyond the sport. He has rendered outstanding services to German cycling." Four world championship titles, stage wins at the Tour as well as the yellow jersey and ten German championship titles speak for "an unrivalled career".
After failing to win a medal in the solo race against the clock, Martin is now hoping for the relay with three men and three women. His "declared goal" is a medal, he said. On ZDF, he honoured his first World Championship title in 2011 as "the greatest and most beautiful moment. That stands above everything for me." In future, Martin wants to spare himself the pain of falling and the constant travelling and instead spend more time with his family.
© dpa-infocom, dpa:210919-99-275566/6
