Like many riders, Dan Martin is just getting over a cold, but the Irishman is in the Tour of the Basque Country looking to hit top shape ahead of his beloved Ardennes Classics.

“I was a bit sick at the end of Catalunya, I had a little bit of a cold and that dragged on into the start of last week. It’s always hard to recover from Catalunya, it’s such a tough race,” Martin told Cyclingnews.

“But I’m looking forward to being here, I haven’t done this race in quite a while” - back in 2012, in fact, when he abandoned on stage 4. “But as I didn’t do Tirreno-Adriatico, this seemed to be a good moment to come back to this race.”

After taking third on GC in Catalunya, Martin will perhaps chase stages and a top ten overall in the Basque Country, as he needs to conserve energy for the Ardennes.

“There’s no pressure here. It’s more down to those Classics. I really don’t want to be emptying the tank here if it means I risk my chances there. I don’t want to be fatigued for them, but I’m not going to sit back and let the race go away from me. If it’s there to be taken, I’ll have a go. It’s a really great race, too, the fans here and the atmosphere make it very special. I just hope the weather forecast isn’t going to be what they’re saying.”

Martin may skip Amstel Gold Race a week on Sunday in order to prepare for Fleche Wallonne and Liege-Bastogne-Liege.

“I might not do Amstel, we haven’t decided yet, but normally just Fleche and Liege are more suited for me. With the change of race program it’s a bit much to go to Amstel, particularly if I finish this race. I think a lot of the guys who want to do well in Amstel may not finish here.”