Lenny Martinez swaps "unforgettable family" for Bahrain Victorious: "That's pretty unique in cycling"

From Groupama-FDJ to Bahrain Victorious, that is the journey Lenny Martinez is taking this winter. After an extended period of rumors and whispers, the still-only 21-year-old top talent signed with the Bahrain formation in early August. Team boss Milan Erzen said then that the team had been dreaming of a Tour podium with a rider for some time and that the young Frenchman would give them that opportunity. Martinez himself recently focused on that goal.

Martinez was only 19 when he was transferred from Groupama-FDJ's Conti team to the WorldTour team for the 2023 cycling season, but with his results in the U23, it seemed like a fine move beforehand. In that first year with the pros, he immediately won the CIC-Mont Ventoux and even wore the red jersey for several days in his first Vuelta. In addition to the Trofeo Laigueglia this year, he also won four French 1.1 races—an abrupt progression that other teams noticed.

Indeed, Bahrain Victorious secured the signature of the 21-year-old Martinez. Speaking with Le Monde, the young climber said he would have liked to stay longer with Groupama-FDJ. "I had hoped my transfer would come later," he explained. Still, the young Frenchman is grateful for his time with the French team, which he said is an "unforgettable family. Nevertheless, Martinez has always said he would like to ride on a foreign team.

So 2025, that will happen, as Martinez signed with the Bahrain formation through 2027. However, Bahrain Victorious was not the only club showing interest. "There are a lot of expectations regarding me. Many teams, both foreign and French, approached me. That is unique in the cycling world," Martinez told himself.

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"I want to win the Tour de France," says an ambitious Lenny Martinez

At his new team, the French talent will continue his progression. "I'm going to prepare very well this winter, both on and off the bike, to achieve my goals." So, what are those goals? "I want to win the Tour de France," the young Frenchman said. He believes his transfer also plays a role in that. "To beat Tadej Pogacar, you must have every opportunity on your side."

He rode the Tour for the first time this year, but a 124th place in the GC reveals the anonymity of his first participation. "I wanted to ride the Tour with a French team. I gained experience for the future," he told himself. With that experience and the help of his new team, Martinez hopes to become the first Frenchman since Bernard Hinault in 1985 to win the Tour de France.