Lenny Martinez
Lenny Martinez, born 11 July 2003 in Cannes (France), is one of the most exciting young climbers in the WorldTour and a leader at Bahrain Victorious. Tiny and explosive, with one of the most extreme power-to-weight profiles in the men's peloton, he is a pure mountain specialist from a famous cycling family. He has already worn the leader's jersey at the Vuelta a España, won stages at races such as Paris-Nice and the Critérium du Dauphiné, and made his mark in the fight for mountains classifications. Still in his early twenties, Martinez is regarded as one of the brightest French talents of his generation. Find Lenny Martinez's latest news, results, stats and race program on this page.
Biography of pro cyclist Lenny Martinez
Lenny Martinez is a French climbing specialist built for the steepest mountains. Slight and explosive, he excels when the gradient rises, and he has quickly established himself as a stage winner and classification contender at WorldTour level despite his youth.
Born into one of cycling's most notable families, he carries both a rich heritage and high expectations, and so far he has answered them with aggressive, attacking racing that has made him a favourite among French fans.
Early life and a cycling dynasty
Martinez was born in Cannes on the French Riviera into a remarkable cycling family. His grandfather, Mariano Martinez, won the polka-dot mountains jersey at the 1978 Tour de France, while his father, Miguel Martinez, took Olympic cross-country mountain-bike gold at the Sydney 2000 Games and a world title in 2001. His father has also helped coach him, shaping his technical descending and high-cadence climbing style.
Standing around 1.68 m and racing at roughly 52 kg, Lenny has one of the most extreme climber's frames in the peloton. He turned professional with Groupama-FDJ in 2023 before moving to Bahrain Victorious for the 2025 season on a multi-year deal.
Grand Tour jerseys and stage-race wins
Martinez made an immediate impression at the top level. He has worn the leader's red jersey at the Vuelta a España and competed for its mountains classification, showcasing the attacking instincts that define his racing.
He has also delivered results in the sport's premier week-long races, taking stage wins at events including Paris-Nice and the Critérium du Dauphiné, and recording further podium finishes in stage races during the 2026 season. These performances have confirmed him as a genuine WorldTour climber rather than merely a promising prospect.
Rider profile: strengths, style, and characteristics
Martinez is a pure climber in the classic mould, light, punchy and able to accelerate repeatedly on steep slopes where heavier riders struggle. His exceptional power-to-weight ratio makes him dangerous on summit finishes and in the breakaway alike.
Coached in part by his father, he is also a skilled, confident descender, a combination that allows him to attack on both the climbs and the way down. His racing is marked by aggression and a willingness to take risks in pursuit of stage wins and jerseys.
Personal life
Martinez remains deeply connected to his family's cycling legacy, with his father continuing to play a hands-on role in his development. Raised on the French Riviera, he has grown up immersed in the sport, and that heritage is a central part of his identity both on and off the bike.
Records and milestones
- Wore the leader's red jersey at the Vuelta a España
- Stage wins at Paris-Nice and the Critérium du Dauphiné
- Contender for mountains classifications at Grand Tour level
- Multiple stage-race podiums in early 2026
- Grandson of 1978 Tour de France mountains-jersey winner Mariano Martinez
What's next for Lenny Martinez?
With Bahrain Victorious building toward Grand Tour ambitions, Martinez is expected to take on growing leadership, with the Tour de France a clear long-term target. The next steps are translating his climbing talent into sustained general-classification campaigns and adding bigger overall results to a palmarès already rich in mountain exploits.
