'I didn't intend to cheat' - Lenny Martinez revisits Tour de France sticky bottle

Lenny Martinez has acknowledged that he has been unable to avoid “upsetting” criticism of his controversial sticky bottle at this year’s Tour de France.

While struggling at the back of the break on the Col du Glandon on stage 18, Martinez was filmed taking three bottles in quick succession from Bahrain Victorious directeur sportif Roman Kreuziger.

Martinez was leading the King of the Mountains classification at the time but he lost the jersey on that stage to eventual winner Tadej Pogačar. He was docked eight points in the competition after the commissaires reviewed the footage.

His actions and the relatively benign punishment were the subject of much criticism in the days that followed, with the Frenchman’s former teammate Thibaut Pinot among those to express their disdain.

“Of course, it’s a bit upsetting, given everything that’s being said on social media. Even though I try not to look at it too much, I stumbled across it,” Martinez told RMC. “I know I didn't intend to cheat. When I watch the video, I think there are things that aren’t right. But it’s also complicated when you’re on a mountain pass.

“You’re lacking in clear thinking when you’re making a big effort. People don’t understand that aspect. Many people watch the Tour de France and think that simply hanging on is cheating, even though you’re allowed four seconds. In any case, I know I didn’t intend to cheat. I’m at peace with myself. As for Thibaut Pinot, I don’t have much to say. I don’t know why he reacted that way.”

Martinez won four races in his debut season at Bahrain Victorious, including stages at Paris-Nice and the Critérium du Dauphiné, but the 22-year-old fell short in his bid to win a stage and the polka dot jersey at the Tour.

“At this level, I find the competition is so fierce that if you’re not quite at your best, it shows immediately and you pay the price,” said Martinez, who is still unsure if 2026 will see him make a tilt at a high overall finish.

“Honestly, I don’t know what the objectives will be for the Tour de France in 2026. Of course, winning a stage will be an objective, but regarding the general classification, I don’t know yet, we'll see little by little with the team and the staff.”

Martinez’s status as the great hope of French cycling has been superseded somewhat by the emergence of Paul Seixas. The Decathlon-AG2R rider took bronze at the elite men’s road race at the European Championships in his first year out of the junior ranks, and he is expected to make his Grand Tour debut in 2026.

“I’m quite impressed by what he’s doing. At his age, frankly, he’s at an extraordinary level, and I think he has enormous potential in the Grand Tours,” Martinez said. “In 2026, he can aim for something in the Tour de France. Seriously, given his level this year, finishing 7th in Il Lombardia, he can win a stage. 

"Plus, he’ll have improved with another six months of experience, and I think he has what it takes to compete in the Tour de France. But it’s his decision. If he wants to do the Tour, he should do it. If he doesn't want to and prefers to do a Vuelta, then he should do a Vuelta first.”