Dan Martin sees the question coming a mile off and no, he has no announcement to make just yet. Since it was confirmed earlier this month that Martin would be leaving Cannondale-Garmin at the end of the season, his phone has been ringing off the hook with enquiries as to his plans for 2016.
Etixx-QuickStep has been heavily rumoured as the likely destination – “We’re close,” manager Patrick Lefevere admitted to Cyclingnews ten days ago – but the many moving parts in this year’s transfer market are progressing at glacial speeds and Martin has yet to put pen to paper.
The one certainty, however, is that, for the first time in his career, Martin will line out next year for a team other than the Slipstream Sports outfit where he began his professional career back in 2008. In that period, he has progressed steadily from youthful promise to team leader, landing Liège-Bastogne-Liège and the Tour of Lombardy along the way, but at 29 years of age, the Irishman felt the time was ripe to sample pastures new.
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“I’ve kind of seen in the last couple of years that perhaps my level of progression hasn’t continued in the same vein so maybe a move will lead not so much to change in direction of my career but a refresh,” Martin told Cyclingnews in Estepona on Tuesday morning ahead of stage 4 of the Vuelta a España. “I’m excited to have a new challenge.”
When news of Martin’s departure broke two weeks ago, one wondered if it might see him removed from Cannondale-Garmin’s Vuelta line-up, a fate that befell Thor Hushovd when he announced his decision to leave the team in the summer of 2011. In the wake of Tom Danielson’s recent positive test for testosterone, however, it may simply be the case that the team has more pressing concerns elsewhere right now.
In any case, after eight years of service, there will be something of a valedictory feel to this Vuelta for Martin, who admitted to a degree of nostalgia at the prospect of lining out for a final Grand Tour appearance in the company of riders such as Andrew Talansky.
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