Yesterday, the French rider from Bahrain-Victorious was penalized after using the “sticky bottle” method during stage 18. As a result, he lost precious points in the mountain classification. With three stages to go before the end of the Tour de France, the rider from Cannes sees his chances of winning the polka dot jersey vanish.
Lenny Martinez was caught by the rules. On Thursday, during stage 18 of the Tour de France, between Moûtiers and the Col de la Loze, the young French climber resorted to a prohibited technique in professional cycling: the “sticky bottle”. This practice involves taking advantage of a bottle offered a little too long by a support car, creating a slight pull that can temporarily relieve the rider.
The action took place on the Col du Glandon where he was first, earning 20 points in the classification. The International Cycling Union (UCI) was quick to react. Lenny Martinez received an eight-point penalty in the mountain classification, dropping his total from 80 to 72 points.
He also received a minor fine of 200 Swiss francs, a loss of 15 points in the UCI ranking, and a ten-second penalty in the general classification.
The Bahrain-Victorious team did not let their rider speak after the stage. They tried to minimize the impact of the incident and avoid any media escalation.
The rules are clear on this type of practice. The penalty, while severe, remains within the usual standards. However, it robs Lenny Martinez of any hope of advancing in the mountain classification, where he still held a promising position before this final Alpine stage.
He now remains third in the polka dot jersey classification, far behind the new leader, Tadej Pogacar, wearing the Yellow Jersey, who has 105 points. The Danish rider Jonas Vingegaard, also in contention for the overall, is ahead of the Frenchman as well.
No choice, must win
With only one real mountain stage left before the finish on the Champs Elysées, the margin for maneuver diminishes for the young rider from Cannes. The Col de la Loze, where he scored 20 points at the front on Thursday, seemed to mark a turning point in his progression in the mountain classification. This penalty almost entirely negates that gain.
The French rider no longer appears to be in contention for the polka dot jersey. Even with a strong performance in the last two stages, the gap of 33 points with Tadej Pogacar seems difficult to close.
Especially since the number of points remaining to be awarded for the mountain classification has drastically decreased with the shortening of the day’s stage between Albertville and La Plagne. Initially, this 19th stage was expected to offer up to 60 points, but it will award only 45 with the cancellation of the Col des Saisines climb.
It remains to be seen how Lenny Martinez will approach the upcoming kilometers. At 20 years old, he is still learning the demands of the highest level. His progress since the beginning of the season is undeniable, but this episode reminds of the strict regulations and the vigilance expected at this level of competition.
The start of the 19th stage could allow Lenny Martinez to rebound. The rider from Cannes is an aggressive element in the mountains, capable of going for points or a stage win. However, his ambitions for the mountain classification have just taken a serious hit. There are 59 points left to be awarded until the finish on Sunday. Nothing is lost yet, but the mission seems impossible.
