Tony Martin (Etixx-QuickStep) could be a surprise contender for the Classics as the German ace revealed his plans to tackle the cobbles in the spring.
Der Panzerwagen, 30, won on the cobbled stage four of last year’s Tour de France and will now ride the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and Dwars door Vlaanderen to test his form.
Should they be successful, Gent-Wevelgem, the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix are further possibilities should he make the cut for the Belgian super team.
And Martin admits switching his focus to Classics in future could be a possibility should this year’s trial go well.
“This spring will be a test and if the signals will be good, then I’d like to continue on this road,” he said.
“But first I need to gain some experience, so that’s why I’m downplaying any expectations.
“Obviously, I can’t say that I want to win there, but to test myself, to see how I do in this kind of races.
“It would be great to be useful to the team in those races that are really important for us, as we are a team with Belgian roots.”
While he may not view himself as a contender in his own right just yet, the news will be a boost to the likes of Tom Boonen and Niki Terpstra too, as they prepare to spearhead Etixx-QuickStep’s Classics charge.
Backed by the firepower of the German’s incredible engine they will bid to get back to winning ways after having to settle for podium places only in all four WorldTour cobbled Classics last season.
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