Martin has been one of the stars of 2013. The win at Liège, one of cycling’s ‘Monuments’, in one of the toughest races in the world, was a highlight for the Irishman who also claimed his first-ever stage win at the Tour de France and took overall victory at the Volta a Catalunya.

On Sunday, Martin finished fourth at the Il Lombardia in another solid result, despite crashing on the final corner when challenging for the podium. On the road since March, the 27-year-old is the first to admit, it’s been a long season.

“It’s the end of the year – my legs are obviously pretty good,” Martin said on Tuesday after landing in the Chinese capital. “You can’t get fourth in Lombardia without being good. I’m not as fresh as I could be – that might play against me in a stage race but we’ll see."

“After the year I’ve had it really is a lot of fun now; there’s no pressure on us as a team and especially myself,” he continued. “We’ve got a strong team here.”

Martin’s storming ride in the finale of Liège resulted in the now-cult imagery of him being chased by a fan wearing a panda suit – an odd sight in the Belgian Ardennes. With China being the native home of the endangered giant panda, Martin also has his hopes pinned on a close encounter with a real black and white bear.

“I hope so,” he grinned. “Maybe I can meet one. This is an opportunity!”

Garmin Sharp has lost the services of Australian climber Lachlan Morton who was unable to fly having suffered a concussion at Lombardia. However, the team still begins the final UCI WorldTour race of the year with a strong seven-man line-up. Along with Martin will be Jack Bauer, Nathan Haas, Nick Nuyens, Jacob Rathe, Fabian Wegmann and Steele Von Hoff.

Haas has the dual role of shepherding Martin to the climbs and fellow Australian Von Hoff in the sprints.

“I think there are some really good opportunities in a race like this for Steele,” admitted Haas. “We’re a really motivated team in what can be known as an unmotivated time of year for a lot of guys. It’s a good opportunity to get some WorldTour points and also for Steele who has come frustratingly close to a few wins this season to hopefully get his confidence back to match with his skill level and ability and to come in hot next year.”

Haas, 24, believes that with the wide open roads around Beijing, it will be the team which dares the most which comes out on top at the end of the five stages.

“Tactics go out the window for the most part and certainly bike handling skills aren’t as important,” he said. “It’s just about a raw engine. We just have to be clever,” Haas continued. “We just have to stay motivated throughout the race and if we are having fun at this time of year and if we can keep our smiles we can continue that over some finish lines and hopefully win some stages.”

Garmin Sharp line-up for 2013 Tour of Beijing:

Jack Bauer (NZL, 28)
2010 national champion, going on to win a stage of the Tour of Wellington and finished top-10 in both the time trial and road race at the Commonwealth Games later that year. Has also won a stage of the 2011 Tour of Utah and represented New Zealand at the 2012 Olympic Games. He was fifth overall at the 2013 Tour of Britain.

Nathan Haas (AUS, 24)
Put his name into the spotlight with a dominant win at the 2011 Herald Sun Tour and victory at the Japan Cup only a few weeks later. He finished second overall at the 2012 Tour of Britain and sixth overall at the Tour de Langkawi.

Dan Martin (IRL, 27)
One of the most impressive riders of 2013 with wins at Volta Ciclista a Catalunya and Liège-Bastogne-Liège. Also triumphed in the mountains at the Tour de France, adding to his stage victory at the 2011 Vuelta a España. Finished fourth overall in the 2012 Tour of Beijing, winning the mountains classification, and will be looking for overall honours this year.

Nick Nuyens (BEL, 33)
A Belgian Classics specialist who fulfilled a lifetime dream by winning the 2011 Tour of Flanders, having finished runner-up in 2008. Mainly seen as a breakaway specialist, he also won the 2005 Tour of Britain overall with two stage victories and will be returning to the Tour of Beijing after finishing 19th overall in 2011.

Jacob Rathe (USA, 22)
A young all-round rider who had an impressive debut season in 2012 with two stage victories, as well as podium finishes at the under-23 world championships and Paris-Roubaix. Also finished impressively at the Tour of California.

Steele Von Hoff (AUS, 22)
A sprinter who has progressed to the WorldTour level after dominating the Australian domestic scene and finishing second overall at the 2011 Herald Sun Tour behind teammate Haas. Won two stages of the Tour de Guadeloupe in his debut season with Garmin and this year was third at the Australian road race championships.

Fabian Wegmann (GER, 33)
The veteran three-time German champion is one of the most respected riders on the team for his durability, leadership and ability to decide road tactics. The all-round rider has a habit of producing consistent results, such as winning the mountains classification at the 2004 Giro d'Italia, and has also won a stage of the Critérium du Dauphiné.