Dan Martin: I rode Tour de France like an idiot last year

Ireland’s Dan Martin is one of just two Irish riders who will roll out of the German city of Dusseldorf this afternoon for the 104th edition of the Tour de France.

Alongside his first cousin Nicolas Roche, the 31-year old is going into the race quietly confident of bettering the ninth place he finished last year.

Now in his second season with Quick-Step Floors, Martin does not have the luxury of a full squad of riders around him to protect his own interests as the Belgian team have opted to send more of an all-round line-up.