Riding mainly as a highly reliable domestique at the Omega Pharma-Quick Step team, Tony Martin has a very limited influence on the decision-making process in regards to his race programme. Thus, even though the three-time time trial world champion would prefer to precsent himself in front of home crowds at the spring’s final classic - Rund um den Finanzplatz Eschborn-Frankfurt held on May 1st, the German powerhouse is scheduled to participate at the Tour de Romandie, kicking off tomorrow.

“I have to do what is important for the team. It hurts a bit. It is something special to race at home. If there was such possibility, I would have liked to participate in Frankfurt again in the future,” the former Eschborn resident told the DPA news agency.

Unfortunately for the 29-year old German, WorldTour points on the table at the Tour de Romandie are more important for the Belgian team than appearance in the spring’s final one-day race in Frankfurt, but local cycling enthusiast will be provided with an opportunity to cheer another talented countryman, John Degenkolb (Giant-Shimano), who is set to ride the classics with very serious chances of claiming his second victory in the event.

“It was a terrific spring for the German cycling,” Martin admitted

And indeed it was. Degenkolb proved himself as a future classics specialist with splendid performances in the cobbled events crowned by a runner-up spot at the Paris-Roubaix and victory in the Gent-Wavelgem. Marcel Kittel (Giant-Shimano) enjoyed a great season opening at the inaugural Dubai Tour and even though struggled hard after returning to Europe, eventually bounced back with an emphatic victory in Scheldeprijs. In addition, Martin himself won two stages at the Vuelta al Pais Vasco, first after his trademark solo attack and the concluding individual time trial.

Martin’s main objectives for the 2014 season are similar to other strongest time-trial specialists, with long stage against the clock on the Tour de France penultimate day and anticipated clash with Fabian Cancellara (Trek Factory Racing) during the World Championships held in Ponferrada in September.

The goals this season are the familiar for the time trialists . The time trial on the penultimate day of the Tour de France is on the agenda , to Martin wants to catch up at the end of September with the World Cup four-time time trial champion Fabian Cancellara . A angedachte last summer " retraining " for classification riders in the Grand Tours is off the table.

Apparently, Martin doeasn’t mind the limited number of season’s objectives available for the time-trial specialists, and aims for further development in that discipline, with the gold medial at the 2014 Olympic Games in Rio being his biggest target.

Until then, the 29-year old German agrees to play the supporting role under the Omega Pharma-Quick Step banner, with rare occasions to shine at the individual and team time trials in stage races.

Both the rider himself and team management were pleased with his recent victory at the Vuelta al Pais Vasco, after Martin struggled to live up to expectations during the individual time trial earlier this season.

“I eventually bounced back at the Vualta al Pais Vasco and regained confidence,” Martin assessed.

“We are very satisfied. He’s finally back to his best,” Omega Pharma-Quick Step technical manager Rolf Algad concluded.