Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team announces that Tony Martin will take the start this morning at the second stage of the Tour de France. The World Time Trial Champion is suffering from a fracture on the scaphoid of his left hand, but, he will try to get on his bike this morning wearing a plastic cast that won't bother him when handling his bike, which includes shifting, breaking and steering. The decision was taken tonight after team doctor Helge Riepenhof discussed the situation with the rest of the team medical staff and with Doctor Rudolf, Head of the hand surgery department BG hospital in Hamburg.
"We will take it step by step, kilometer by kilometer," Martin said. "The first objective is to try and arrive to the next time trial on next Monday. I know it won't be easy, it will be painful, but I really want to try. The Tour de France is really important for me and I don't want to give up without trying."
Jerome Pineau will also take the start this morning. The X-ray excluded any kind of fracture for the OPQS French rider.
"I have pain on my right shoulder and my arm," Pineau said. "It won't be easy to ride my bike, but I am confident this morning it is already better than last night."
