German rider Tony Martin put in a monster performance yesterday to win the World Individual Time-Trial Championships for the fourth time in his career, following the triumphs of 2011, 2012 and 2013, thus equalling the record of Fabian Cancellara which has been standing for six years. This win follows on from his victory with his Etixx-Quick Step team in the Team Time-Trial World Championships on Sunday.
Martin blitzed the Doha course, setting the reference time at both checkpoints, before crossing the line in 44:42, a result better than the one posted by nine of the teams who competed in Sunday’s time trial.
The 31-year-old put 45 seconds into defending champion Vasil Kiryienka (Belarus), who finished runner-up, and more than a minute into Jonathan Castroviejo, the Spaniard who rounded out the podium.
“After taking the gold medal with the team, to win the rainbow jersey in the individual time trial is just the icing on the cake,” said Martin.
“I was a bit scared by the heat at first, but having a good preparation here in Qatar helped me cope with it. I rode without any pressure, was focused only on what I had to do, and not on my rivals, and to come out on top is really incredible.”
“I haven’t had a great year up until this point, but to win two world titles in the space of just four days makes up for everything”, said Martin.
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