Tony Martin has explained why he will try his hand in the Flemish spring classics. The German sees himself less as a stage race rider he confesses. "If you look at my profile, they should suit me more than the grand tours," says the rider of Etixx- Quick Step in an interview with the Frankfurter Allgemeine.

Earlier this year Martin announced that he will test himself in the Flemish spring classics. "If you look at my profile, the classics should suit me more than the grand tours," he told the Frankfurter Allgemeine. "The trend is that they get harder, more mountainous and difficult, and it does not suit me well. That is why I have sought new races and I've found that with the classics. I do not know what awaits me there but am already looking forward to it."

Martin also aims also for a medal at the Olympics in Rio this year. He has checked the course for the time trial in Brazil, but came back with concerns. "I was negatively surprised, even shocked, by the profile. This race is extremely tough and has gradients up to twenty percent. That is not a classic time trial, but rather something for climbers. I've set the bar lower for myself. In my head I am no favorite. But that does not mean that I will not go flat out for the world title. "