Tony Martin will line-up at the Wednesday’s individual time trial event clad in the rainbow jersey and a role of a clear favourite to further extend his reigns as a World Champion in that discipline, for fourth consecutive year. However, other specialists will be eager to test the powerful German as he looked slightly less impressive than usually during the team event on Sunday and openly admitted, that he hasn’t reached his 100% disposition yet.

Entering the team time trial on Sunday with weaker team than in previous two years, Omega Pharma – Quick Step wasn’t picked as biggest favorite to take the gold in the event. Such expectations proved correct only to some extent, as the Belgian squad was indeed beaten by Orica-GreenEDGE, but it was impressive BMC Racing who took all the spoils. The American squad was lucky to ride in more favourable weather conditions, but Martin justly refused to call it a decisive factor.

“The rain doesn’t make the race any easier,” Martin said after his team tried to catch BMC, which rode on a dry course.

“It was a disappointment that it rained on the last descent, but that shouldn’t be an excuse that we lost time in the final — we have to look at what went wrong with analysis.”

The 29-year old German easily came into a role of an undeniable leader of the Omega six-man squad and, as expected, was taking long turns at the front. However, more perceptive observer could have noticed that he lacked a bit of his usual firepower what Martin openly admitted at the press conference following Sunday’s event.

“The team time trial was a good test to see where I was at. I’m OK, but I am still not 100 percent,” Martin said. “I have to analyze how to prepare now for the next days with my team, to take it easy or train a bit harder.”

After winning the World Championship individual time trial for last three years, Martin stands ahead of a chance to become the first cycling who won four titles in the discipline. However, the Omega Pharma – Quick Step rider admitted that a privilege of wearing the rainbow jersey for next year attracts him more than setting new records.

“Of course, I am aware that I could set a record that would probably stand for a very, very long time in the history books, but I’m not a record hunter,” Martin told German media, including Weser Kurier, in a press conference.

“For me, it’s about the day, not the record. I want to go another year in the world champion jersey. And if there is a record — wonderful.”

He also insisted that despite being almost unbeatable in the individual time trials since 2011 season, he still has to deal with a big pressure while rolling down the ramp which motivates him but also brings additional weight to carry.

“The favorite status pushes me further, but it is also not easy to roll with the pressure from the start ramp,” Martin said. “There is nothing guaranteed for me over the 47 kilometers. And after all, I’m up against people such as Bradley Wiggins and Dutchman Tom Dumoulin, to just name two other favorites.”