Martinez Powers Bahrain Victorious to Paris–Nice Win

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

Lenny Martinez powered to victory on the final stage of the Paris–Nice yesterday, sealing a memorable win for Bahrain Victorious after a decisive late move on the climbs above Nice.

The 129.2 km Stage 8 from Achères to Nice unfolded at a controlled pace early on as the peloton navigated the coastal roads of the Côte d’Azur. But as the race reached the decisive terrain overlooking the Mediterranean, Bahrain Victorious executed the move that ultimately decided the stage.

With around 20 kilometres remaining, the riders hit the steep slopes of the Côte du Linguador (3.3 km at 8.2%), where Jonas Vingegaard launched a sharp acceleration. Crucially, Martinez was already perfectly placed thanks to the positioning work of teammate Damiano Caruso at the base of the climb.

When Vingegaard attacked, Martinez was the only rider able to respond. The pair quickly opened a gap over the chasing group and worked together over the final kilometres into Nice, where the stage finish had been relocated this year due to local elections.

Despite pressure from behind, the two leaders held their advantage, setting up a sprint for the stage win. Martinez proved the faster of the two, accelerating in the final metres to take victory on roads close to his hometown of Cannes. Vingegaard finished second, while Harold Tejada completed the podium.

“It means a lot to win here in Nice, close to where I grew up,” Martinez said. “To beat a rider like Jonas shows how much I’ve improved since last year.”

Bahrain Victorious sports director Roman Kreuziger highlighted the collective effort behind the result, particularly after the team was reduced to four riders following illness to Nikias Arndt overnight.

“Damiano came back to the group at exactly the right moment and positioned Lenny perfectly behind Jonas before the climb,” Kreuziger said. “After that, Lenny stayed calm and finished it off. Beating Jonas on the final day of Paris–Nice is something really special for the whole team.”