Martin awaiting news on Tour de France selection

CYCLING: WITH JUST over two weeks remaining until the start of the Tour de France, Daniel Martin is waiting to hear if he will be selected and make his debut in the race.

Although he is a promising young rider and last year took several victories, including a stage and the overall classification in the Tour of Poland, the 24-year-old is yet to line out in cycling’s biggest event. He missed it in 2009 due to knee problems, then last year he rode the Giro d’Italia instead. This time round, it is quite possible he will be given the nod.

One possible complicating factor is Martin’s problems with allergies. He reacts badly to certain pollens and experiences a sudden slump in form, as exemplified by his performance in the Critérium du Dauphiné. On last Friday’s fifth stage, he attacked strongly several times on the final climb and picked up eighth. However, he finished back in 30th and 38th on the final two stages.

“I felt great on the Friday; my condition is very good at the moment,” he said yesterday. “But then pollen levels shot up and I couldn’t breathe properly on Saturday and Sunday. It’s really frustrating, especially as I think I could have done something big on those days. They suited me a lot better than Friday’s climb, which was less steep.”

Martin pointed out that it was unusual pollen levels were high at this point of the season. July is normally a good month for him and, with his climbing abilities, he’ll hope that the team will select him. He should know prior to lining out in the Irish road race championships next weekend.

Meanwhile, Nicolas Roche has returned to training after crashing out of the Dauphiné. He has already been confirmed to lead the Ag2r La Mondiale team in the Tour. He was 15th last year.

Like Martin, he and defending champion Matt Brammeier will be back for the nationals.

Ireland’s fourth ProTeam professional, Philip Deignan, is currently riding the Tour de Suisse. He is sitting 56th overall with three stages remaining.

Many of the domestic-based riders are currently making their final preparations for the championships.

There is a good programme of racing this weekend, including today’s national criterium championships in Mullingar plus the Paddy Flanagan two-day, then some riders will compete in the Stephen Roche Grand Prix in Dundrum next Wednesday.

Fixtures: Today: National criterium championships, starts 7.30 in Mullingar. Today-Sunday: Newry Three Day, stage 1 starts at 7pm. Tomorrow: Youth track league, Orangefield. Tomorrow-Sunday: Paddy Flanagan Two Day, Kildare. Stage 1 starts at 1pm. Sunday: Donamon Dynamos GP, starts noon in Castlecoote village; Leahy Cup, first races start noon in Ballymore, Cobh; IVCA TT, starts 9.15 in Moyvalley.