PROLOGUE
DAN MARTIN
PRO DIARIES
ISRAEL START-UP NATION
Despite fatigue, Dan rode well in the Alps, where third place on stage 2 was the highlight
Tthe Ardennes races were off my calendar for the first time in my 14-year career. That’s right: thirteen consecutive appearances at Flèche and Liège, some ending in anonymity, others in the back of an ambulance but some years were successful. I got addicted to these races in my formative years, despite getting a right kicking and having some nasty crashes. There was just something special about them: the atmosphere on the Mur de Huy, and the history of Liège. Ardennes week is always just a fun time if you have a good group of team-mates, as there is loads of hotel time, coffee stops during the week and recon rides. It’s a time to build team spirit for the fights that are to come.