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Interview with Dani Martínez after the 2024 Giro d'Italia

To be second in the Giro - that's an outstanding result! For BORA – hansgrohe, because it's the second Grand Tour podium in the team's history (besides Jai's Giro win). And for you, because it's your first Grand Tour podium as well. Where do you see this success in your career?

Written by RBH

4 min readPublished on 27.05.2024 · 06:33 UTC

This being my first podium in a Grand Tour, I'm incredibly happy and satisfied with our achievement here. It's undoubtedly one of the highlights of my career so far. As a child, I always dreamt of standing on a podium or even winning a race of this magnitude. To have achieved this dream is truly special.

How did you find your first Grand Tour with BORA – hansgrohe?

The atmosphere in the team has been great. From the staff to the riders, everyone has given their best over the past three weeks. This collective effort and positive environment have been crucial in achieving our results. The camaraderie and support have made my first Grand Tour with the team a rewarding experience.

A long training block at home in Colombia marked your road to the Giro. We went into the race on the defensive, saying that a Top 5 result would be great. How confident were you about your form before the Giro started in Turin?

I trained hard at home, focusing on the details to ensure I could perform at my best here at the Giro. Coming into the race, I was motivated and eager to showcase the results of my preparation. I believed that with the right strategy and determination, we could achieve something special.

You wasted no time in jumping onto the podium right on the second stage - and never lost that spot. When did you realise that this result would last until Rome?

The Giro d'Italia can be unpredictable, and each day presents its own set of challenges. Even though I secured a podium spot early, I took nothing for granted. It wasn’t until I crossed the final finish line in Rome that I allowed myself to celebrate the accomplishment. Consistency was key, and we maintained our focus and determination throughout the race.

If you must pick two moments out of the last weeks: What was your worst and your best Giro moment?

The best moment for me was when I managed to gain time on the other GC contenders like Geraint Thomas. It was an affirmation of our strategy and my form. On the other hand, the worst moment was when I hit my shoulder. It was a challenge, but overcoming it was all the more satisfying.

Give us a little insight: Being on the podium for the entire Giro means that you have a lot of riders and teams chasing you. Does this situation give you extra motivation or more pressure? And how did you deal with it?

I thrive on competition and it drives me to perform at my best. Knowing that several others are chasing us pushes me to maintain and elevate my performance every day. I focused on what I could control and used the competition as a source of motivation rather than pressure.

You rode for an Italian team in the past, and speak Italian, do you have a connection to Italian racing and the fans? Did this provide you with extra motivation?

Italy played a big role in my early career development, and I have a deep appreciation for Italian racing and the passionate fans. Speaking the language and having many friends here makes the experience even more special. The support and familiarity definitely provided extra motivation and made this Giro d'Italia particularly memorable for me.

How will you spend the week after the Giro d'Italia? Will it be a complete rest after a stressful Grand Tour?

Resting after such an intense race is crucial for recovery. I’m looking forward to spending quality time with my family after having been away for so long now. It’s important to balance professional commitments with personal time, and I’m keen to enjoy downtime with them.

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Interview with Dani Martínez after the 2024 Giro d'Italia

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