Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team rider Tony Martin spoke at a Tour of Beijing press conference on Monday, acknowledging the stage race from Oct. 9 through Oct. 13 will be a true test against some of the best climbers in the pro peloton.
"It will be really hard to defend my title because there is no time trial," Martin, who won his second consecutive UCI Time Trial World Championship last month, said at the press conference.
Martin won the first edition of the race in 2011. He said he enjoyed the experience of racing in Beijing. This was the first UCI WorldTour race in Asia, and 146 riders will be riding in 10 different districts of Beijing.
"The Tour of Beijing is one of the best organised races in the all season," Martin said. "The plan to come back this year was made in spring whatever I would win or not the time trial in the 2012 UCI Road World Championships."
