Martínez reveals his wishlist for grand tours in 2025 and reflects on 2024: "I failed"

Daniel Felipe Martínez’s debut season at Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe can be described as successful: three victories and a second place in the Giro d'Italia behind Tadej Pogacar, making him the best of the 'regular' riders. However, the latter part of the season was disappointing. In an interview with AS Colombia, Martínez reflected on his year: "The main goal was the Giro d'Italia, and we achieved that, but I somewhat failed in the second half of the season."

The year started promisingly for the 28-year-old, who claimed the Colombian time trial title and won a few stages, alongside securing a second place in the Volta ao Algarve. His performances in the Strade Bianche and Tirreno-Adriatico were less impressive. All the more remarkable and surprising was the Giro d'Italia, where Martínez reached the podium of a grand tour for the first time. He finished second, nearly ten minutes behind Pogacar, but there was little he could do about that. "I really enjoyed Tadej’s performances in the Giro," said the Colombian.

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The podium of the 2024 Giro d'Italia

"I want to focus on the Giro and the Tour"

After the Giro, the small climber raced in the Vuelta a España, where he did not achieve the desired result and did not make it to Madrid. Whether one thing influenced the other is uncertain, but Martínez has already indicated that the Spanish tour will no longer be part of his program for 2024. "I’m not sure yet, and the team doesn’t know either. We’ll see in December what the plan will be. I would go wherever the team places me, but I want to drop the Vuelta a España and focus more on the Giro and the Tour."

As for the plans for next season, it remains to be seen what the team’s strategy will be. Martínez has made his preference clear and seems to be aiming primarily for the Giro and the Tour de France. Given Primoz Roglic’s status as the team’s undisputed leader, it is most logical that Martínez would take on a supporting role in the Tour while having the opportunity to lead in the Giro.

For Martínez, 2025 will be about consolidating his achievements. One podium in the Giro is great, but it doesn’t tell the whole story. And then there is the fall season, for which better results are expected. This is a goal that Martínez himself shares.

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