Tony Martin is a trained police officer. The traffic on a crossing to the rules was part of his training program back when the uniforms were still green. What are the police does not teach, however, A Peloton on French country roads, a complete butchery, 176 in great shape located in France on the biggest stage of all, a determined cyclist to stop what they are traveled to the race to. At least temporarily, the German professional had on Saturday at the Tour de France, the license to Slow down.
It had something Iconic, as Martin was getting up to the top of the field on his wheel and arms spread, as he wanted to start with his Back to the flight. Quite the opposite: The 35-Year-old wanted to stop the blind, together with the high blood, the field of riders was in the extraordinary opening stage around the rainy nice. Had Martin called had a Megaphone to Hand, he probably would have stay in several languages, “quiet”, “Piano” in. The flash flood from the sky above the Côte d’azur had, sometimes mixed with Oil, the roads turned into slippery-greasy slopes, and a flash flood in the Peloton triggered. The list of the ground lost and wounded professionals was long the sprint victory of the Norwegian Alexander Kristoff (Team UAE).
Suddenly, the chief diplomat
Martin the time saw the race come to act and to change his role. From the pace maker to the word leader, to the chief diplomats of the Field, as he stood up to the Rennfinale negotiated with various professionals from different Teams are exchanged, and a quasi-ceasefire. “In principle, we have not had the Chance to drive a relatively safe and responsible race. All wanted to neutralize, but none made the first step. I have then taken the Initiative,“ said the Cottbus-born, Eschborn, grown up professional who drives his twelfth tour de France on Monday, in the third stage of the Tour from nice to Sisteron goes – no one in the Peloton has more experience in this for the drivers most stressful of all the races.
The four-time time trial world champion was not as the Patron of the peloton, this species is extinct since the inglorious days of Lance Armstrong quasi. Hinault, Merckx, later on Cancellara – they were, for example, professionals with such cubits long list of successes, the quality of your power of special influence in the race, a claim could make. Martin’s authority was based on the respect he enjoys in the scene due to his past achievements and his tireless helper services in the Wind for his team Jumbo Visma. Martin was not as a Patron, especially of him as a rather quiet time, the big gesture is enjoyed and makes full affectation of nature, depart. Martin acted with a cool head, first and foremost, as a so-called “Road Captain”.
The 21 stages of the 107. The Tour de France. : Image: F. A. Z.
A role in the teams in which the team lines, especially the experienced, prudent and strategically-minded drivers. It is important to make the success of the team-mates feed, but also to ensure their safety. In his strong Dutch Team, the hosts with the Slovenian Primoz Roglic a top contender on this year’s Tour victory, Martin is something like the father of the company, the enormous appreciation is brought.
a Lot of communication work
In the case of the German license pedaling team Sunweb Nikias Arndt of the Road Captain. For the 28-Year-old the roller means, as the Interface between the Sporting managers in the monitoring of vehicles and to act to the professionals on the wheel. It was asked a lot of communication work, the results of which he brings together and attempts to get a clear picture from the race, his team-mates and rivals outgoing signals together. “Especially when it comes in the race, and there is no time to exchange with the Sports leaders, I carry a lot of responsibility,” says Arndt.
