Martin disappointed at Tour de France non-start

Daniel Martin

As the Garmin riders rolled towards the team presentation on their Felt bikes, Dan Martin was walking a little way behind them, pulling a wheeled suitcase, heading for home. His debut Tour de France cut short by tendonitis before it had even begun.

When Cycling Weekly spotted him, the Birmingham-born rider was philosophical about having to pull out of the race but admitted: "It's a bit harsh to come down here and see what it's all about but not be able to do the race."

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Sports journalist Lionel Birnie has written professionally for Sunday Times, Procycling and of course Cycling Weekly. He is also an author, publisher, and co-founder of The Cycling Podcast. His first experience covering the Tour de France came in 1999, and he has presented The Cycling Podcast with Richard Moore and Daniel Friebe since 2013. He founded Peloton Publishing in 2010 and has ghostwritten and published the autobiography of Sean Kelly, as well as a number of other sports icons.