Giro over the Tour

Next season’s Giro d’Italia will start in Ireland, and is consequently a big goal for Garmin’s Daniel Martin.

After a superb 2013, the Irishman for the first time emerged as a potential GC contender by winning the Volta a Catalunya, the Liège–Bastogne–Liège, and an important mountaintop finish at the Tour de France. Martin acknowledges the importance of the Tour, but at the moment seems to prefer the Giro.

"It is a little bit annoying that they are both happening in the same year," Martin told Sky Sports.

"It is still a big question mark as to whether I will be on the start line in Yorkshire. It depends on how the Giro goes, how I come out of it and how I am feeling. But I will definitely be on the start line in Belfast.

Is is probably a joint decision by Martin, Garmin and team manager Vaughters, because the mountainous Italian Grand Tour does seem to fit his qualities better than the Tour. At least for the moment, where he has yet to display his ITT skills.

"The Giro is definitely a course that suits me. The team has said to me to go there as team leader.

"All being well and no crashes or sickness, it would be really good to get a top 10 for the first time in a Grand Tour. I think with my physical capacity, I could be top five, but that would be a long three weeks."

"My Grand Tour racing still needs some work, but I'm not stressed about that," he added. "I really enjoy my racing, and that is what is important.

"Obviously, to be successful in a Grand Tour you have to be a little bit more careful with your resources. I think I am ready for it. I think I am mature enough to cope with the pressure for three weeks."

Previously Martin has suffered with allergy problems in the spring – a common problem amongst some of the GC contenders – and it has before hampered his performances in the Ardennes Classics.

Last year an allergy specialist helped him overcome the problem, but he is still conscious about the issue.

"The last couple of years at the Ardennes Classics have shown I seem to have my allergies under control, but you never know," he added. "The last time I did the Giro I suffered a lot with my allergies, so it is a big question mark.

"Last year I finally sorted the correct inhaler. I also saw an allergy specialist. It has been a real career-changing thing. I'm pretty sure we're on the right track now. I am always one to look on the bright side, though, so if the Giro doesn't go well, maybe I won't kill myself and I will be going to the Tour in July."

It will be very interesting to see how Martin’s first GT bid will unfold, and one thing is for sure; spectators during the Giro’s three Irish stages will be jubilant to see a compatriot taking on cycling’s best.