That Patrick Lefevere has a love for Tony Martin is no secret. But after a disappointing performance at the World Championships time trial the German seems to doubt his abilities a bit. "At the Worlds, he received a serious knock-out," said the Etixx-QuickStep manager.

Patrick Lefevere doesn’t hesitate long when asked about the standout moment of 2015. "I choose the cobbled stage in the Tour. Tony Martin punctures 15 kilometers from the finish, has to take Matteo Trentin’s bike and then rides away to win the stage and take the yellow jersey,” Lefevere said in the Sporza TV show Extra Time Koers.

Why does Lefevere show much appreciation for Martin? "You can hardly disapprove Tony, just like you can hardly disapprove Greg Van Avermaet.

"They are both pros, who are always serious about their profession and you can always count on them. If they are not riding for themselves, then they are riding for someone else."

Lefevere does indicate that Martin doesn’t go into the winter  with a good feeling. "At the World Championships time trial, he had a serious knock-out," said Lefevere about Martin who was only 7th in Richmond. "He starts to doubt everything.

"Whether he has an explanation? No, but you can also have an off day. Last year, Martin was super after the Tour and he was a little tired at the Worlds. Now he crashed in the Tour and he had not raced enough before the Worlds.”

The disappointing performance at the Worlds has also cast doubt on Martin’s planning for 2016. "Martin is a former East German and is very attached to Olympic titles.

"In 2016 he wants to focus everything on the Olympics. After the Worlds, he immediately flew to Rio where he saw the course for the time trial and road race. He has announced that he will do the Tour at full gas. If he has good legs, then he goes to Rio. “

And what about the Hour Record? "We have already talked about it, but you need to prepare for months. And it brings me nothing. The big winner is the bicycle manufacturer and therefore I believe that they should pay for it.  It's all about the money."