I didn't touch my bike for 2 weeks after the Beaumont Trophy race. After a great month of May in the saddle, June had left a sour taste in my month, and I just didn't have the motivation to go out and turn the pedals. I needed to properly rest my shoulder, as my fight for fitness to ride the Nationals prevented that from really happening.
A lot of thinking can go on when you just sit and watch the world go by. The whole debacle with the GB Coaches in Ampleworth had really tarnished my great season so far, and ultimately it led to a decision that would change my future in the sport.
At the end of the season, regardless of either I had secured a Pro Contract with a Licensed Team or if I need to ride as an Amateur again, I would leave the Great Britain Development Team. Furthermore, I would to be classed as South African again.
With that off my mind, I wanted to enjoy my time away from racing. Sadly though, you can take the rider out of cycling, but you can't take cycling out of the rider. July is the month of Le Tour, so I thought it would only be right to head to the stage on Alpe d'Huez.
Knowing some of the ITV staff from the Tour Series, I managed to get myself amongst the teams at the finish. Next thing I know, I am being introduced to different team bosses, chatting about my plans for next season. I seriously thought I was dreaming.
I took the bike with me to France, and decided to test myself on the legendary 21 hairpins a couple of days after the Pro-Peleton. My respect for them went through the roof after this. One day, I dream of being with the World's Best riding on the stage. Little did I know that my time chatting away at the stage finish would result in me having my chance to do that sooner than I realised.
@peter: Being South African again was the easy choice who says it will be WT next season? Some PCT teams are on the shortlist - all will be revealed next
I returned from my break in France to a number of messages from different teams wanting to know about my future and what I had decided for next season. Thankfully, my dad had pretty much become my agent, and dealt with it all perfectly.
He reckoned that a total of 16 teams, from WorldTour to Continental, had tried to make contact whilst I was away. Some were ready to make offers, whilst others were just making enquires and said they would be in contact again soon.
At the end of it all, we were able to narrow the long list down to 6 teams:
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BMC Racing Team [WT]
Garmin-Sharp [WT]
MTN-Qhubeka [PCT]
IAM Cycling [PCT]
Team Europcar [WT]
Trek Factory Racing [WT]
The Offers
BMC were one of the few teams that really impressed me at the Stage Finish on Alpe d'Huez. Their whole set up seemed very professional, and it was clear they cared a lot for all of their riders, and have a good history of working with young riders. I had read small bits about Jim Ochowicz in Lance Armstrong's early autobiographies, but also knew what he had done with the BMC team.
Contract Specifics:
Monthly Wage:
3,250€/m
Contract Duration:
2 years
Team Role:
Young Rider
*****
Like BMC, Garmin left a great impression on me after the Alpe d'Huez stage. I had followed the team for years, especially on Twitter, as well as being a big fan of Dave Millar. Again, like BMC, they appeared to be very professional in their approach, and their success with young riders is outstanding.
Contract Specifics:
Monthly Wage:
2,750€/m
Contract Duration:
2 years
Team Role:
Young Rider
*****
IAM were one of the few calls that came as a shock to me. New to the World of Cycling, they are wanting to grow as a team, and aim for the WorldTour in 2015. With Sylvain Chavanel already confirmed for next season, it would be exciting to be part of such a talented team.
Contract Specifics:
Monthly Wage:
3,250€/m
Contract Duration:
1 year
Team Role:
Team-Mate
*****
MTN were the first team on the phone to call, and there is only one reason why they have been included on my shortlist - They are a South African team, who are wanting to grow in the World of Cycling, and they want to increase the image of cycling in Africa. This is something I would to have the chance to be part of.
I thought my Dad was joking when he said that Trek had been on the phone. A team that has Cancellara, Voigt, the Schlecks, as well as many others, doesn't come around every day, and I felt honoured by their interest in me. Sadly, however, they couldn't discuss all the contract details until later in the year.
It's either MTN or Trek in my opinion, the offer of MTN is really generous as well as your role. At Trek however, Cancellara's leadership and experience might help you even more.
Thanks everyone for comments and your guessing / suggestions of where Martijn should go All will be revealed tonight, but first I have the matter of an exclusive interview with Sutty to post
As part of my break away from the racing, I agreed to carry out an exclusive interview with Sutty68, and allowing him an Access-All-Areas for a few days at my home in Manchester. It was a great couple of days, and I want to thank Sutty68 for taking the time to sit down with me.
*****
Sutty68:Hi Martijn, thanks for letting me into your life for a few days and sitting down with me for the interview. Martijn:Hi Sutty. I'm happy we can sit down and do this, and thank you for agreeing to it.
Sutty68: So let's get straight into it. You have been mentioned in the press as a Future Great of the sport, do you think you can handle that pressure? Martijn:Well, a lot of things are said in the press, and I think I have just been throw into the hat along with many others who have a bright future ahead of them. If I success in the sport, then I will be delighted, but I know that there is a fine line between success and failure.
Sutty68:What did it feel like getting your first win at the Grand Prix of Sochi? Martijn:The feeling was out of this world. When it all happened, I so many mixed feelings. First I was 2nd, then I had won, then they had to double check the timings. So much went on behind the scenes before I could officially step up on that podium. Looking out on the crowd was when it really hit home.
Sutty68:From there, then went on to a good ride in Melton. What did you think of your performance at the Rutland – Melton Classic? Martijn:All eyes were on me after my success in Russia, and I felt like everyone wanted to have a chat in the peleton. People knew me, and at the time, I think I let that get on top of me too much. I relaxed, and actually missed the winning move because I was chatting away like I was on a club run. It was a small piece of inexperience and naivety on my part.
Sutty68:After that, you tasted glory in Lincoln. The Lincoln GP is known as one of the toughest events on the British Premier Calendar, yet you managed to achieve a creditable victory there, that must have raised some eyebrows, surely? Martijn:I have never raced so hard in my life, and I was so happy to take the win. But yes, there were few eyebrows raised as you say, because I was a huge outside bet for the win. I was, and still am, and unknown quantity on the Cobbles, and some underestimated that. The team believed in me though, which is what really mattered.
Sutty68:You seem to be really enjoying the Tour Series. Is criterium racing one of your specialities? Martijn:Not necessarily. I think you need to be tough to be able to perform well in the Tour Series, and I think I was in the rounds I performed well. Sadly I couldn't ride in the later Rounds, but I enjoy the experience.
Sutty68:Getting injured on the track must have been a really hard thing for you to take at the time? Martijn:You can say that again. I was in form, on a great run and I wanted to finish of my time in the Tour Series with a good showing in Torquay and Redditch. Ironically, I was only on the track to try and improve my technique and speed for the Tour Series, and I ended up missing out.
Sutty68:To join the Great Britain Development Team, you had to make a big decision. How hard was the decision in choosing between Great Britain and South Africa? Martijn:It was very difficult, and I did a lot of thinking about what I do. I sat down with my parents, and they really understood the size of the decision. In the end, I had to think of my cycling career, as I knew that after my time with the squad, I could become South African again.
Sutty68:Who are your best friends within the Great Britain Team? Martijn:Certainly the Yates Brothers. Both Simon and Adam are great friends of mine, and I can't wait to come up against them next season. They have signed with Orica-GreenEdge, and I'm sure they will be a great success.
Sutty68:Looking ahead, what are your ambitions in the Tour of Britain? Martijn:Nothing has been finalised yet, but it will look like Adam [Yates] will lead the team. I will sit down with the Coaches before the race, but it would be good to have a bit of a free role, aiming for the KoM jersey if possible.
Sutty68:And finally where would you like to see yourself in five years time? Martijn:I get asked this all the time on the street. I hope to be a well established rider in a WorldTour team, with some good results under my belt. If I achieve more than that, then I will be a very happy man.
Sutty68:Well that wraps everything up. Thanks for your time Martijn. Martijn:It's been a pleasure. And again, thank you for agreeing to do this.
When your future is at stake, you make a decision lightly. After creating the shortlist of 6 teams, my Dad and I set to work cutting it down further.
The first two to be cut from the list were IAM Cycling and Team Europcar. Both teams were only offering me a 1 year contract, and I felt that was not the sort of deal I need at my age. I should be able to be feel happy and secure in a team, and not have to feel like my place in the team is on the line all season.
Eliminating Garmin was a little more difficult. Whilst they are a great team, their 2014 squad looked like it would struggle to fully accommodate me, and I didn't think I would get my chance to shine like I would.
The choice to turn down MTN-Qhubeka was something I questioned over and over in my head. The thought of riding on South African team would be an absolute dream, but I am too young to be having the weight of a Protected Rider on my shoulders. Maybe in a few years time, I would snap off their hands, but not at this point of my career.
And so... that left me with BMC and Trek to choose from. With Trek yet to fully make me an offer, I decided to take the initiative and give them a call. Using the BMC contract offer, I was able to entice some details out of them.
It would seem that Trek were playing a waiting game, stalling on making a full offer and wanting to see what the others had to offer me. Luca Guercilena told me instantly that they were willing to match BMC's offer, but could add in a little extra to the deal. With that the call ended, and the full offer would sent via email.
who says it will be WT next season? Some PCT teams are on the shortlist - all will be revealed next
and secondly congratulations on the potential signing with...........?????
