<p>HTC-Highroad's Tony Martin was proclaimed overall winner in the Paris-Nice stage race on Sunday in what was a landmark victory both for the young German and for his team. </p><p>
</p><p>
"We've won lots of stage races before, but never one of this calibre," commented HTC-Highroad sports director Allan Peiper, "and at the same time it's a huge step up in Tony's personal career, too."</p><p>
</p><p>
"Tony led like a real champion, he really put his stamp on the race with that time trial win and then as a team we did well to defend it."</p><p>
</p><p>
After mountainous terrain and poor weather shredded the field on the final 122 kilometer stage, Martin crossed the finishing line safely in the main pack of just a dozen riders.</p><p>
</p><p>
Second in the final podium was German Andreas Klöden, 36 seconds behind with Bradley Wiggins of Great Britain in third at 41 seconds.</p><p>
</p><p>
"The only thing that could really have undone us was the weather," Peiper added, "we'd had crashes with Tejay [Van Garderen] and Kosta [Konstantsin Siutsou] going down on Saturday but they still gave it 100 percent."</p><p>
</p><p>
"We'd lost Martin Velits early on through injury, but Alex Rasmussen really pulled out the stops, and Matt Goss was doing brilliantly on the climbs even though he's a sprinter."</p><p>
</p><p>
"At the same time, Tejay [Van Garderen] worked hard for Tony on the biggest mountain stage and opening that gap on most of the rest of the field that day really made a big difference."</p><p>
</p><p>
The reigning German national time trial champion, prior to his latest success Martin has already won the Tour of the Algarve in Portugal this season.</p><p>
</p><p>
"Tony said he was going to come here to give it his best shot, and after Algarve we knew he was in good shape."</p><p>
</p><p>
"Being a contender at Paris-Nice is one thing. Getting the win itself is something extraordinary."</p>
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</p><p>
"We've won lots of stage races before, but never one of this calibre," commented HTC-Highroad sports director Allan Peiper, "and at the same time it's a huge step up in Tony's personal career, too."</p><p>
</p><p>
"Tony led like a real champion, he really put his stamp on the race with that time trial win and then as a team we did well to defend it."</p><p>
</p><p>
After mountainous terrain and poor weather shredded the field on the final 122 kilometer stage, Martin crossed the finishing line safely in the main pack of just a dozen riders.</p><p>
</p><p>
Second in the final podium was German Andreas Klöden, 36 seconds behind with Bradley Wiggins of Great Britain in third at 41 seconds.</p><p>
</p><p>
"The only thing that could really have undone us was the weather," Peiper added, "we'd had crashes with Tejay [Van Garderen] and Kosta [Konstantsin Siutsou] going down on Saturday but they still gave it 100 percent."</p><p>
</p><p>
"We'd lost Martin Velits early on through injury, but Alex Rasmussen really pulled out the stops, and Matt Goss was doing brilliantly on the climbs even though he's a sprinter."</p><p>
</p><p>
"At the same time, Tejay [Van Garderen] worked hard for Tony on the biggest mountain stage and opening that gap on most of the rest of the field that day really made a big difference."</p><p>
</p><p>
The reigning German national time trial champion, prior to his latest success Martin has already won the Tour of the Algarve in Portugal this season.</p><p>
</p><p>
"Tony said he was going to come here to give it his best shot, and after Algarve we knew he was in good shape."</p><p>
</p><p>
"Being a contender at Paris-Nice is one thing. Getting the win itself is something extraordinary."</p>
More...