After a 2025 he'd rather erase from memory, Dani Martínez is ready to return to prominence. The Colombian rider, a stage race specialist and a true GC contender, has forcefully declared his determination to redeem himself in 2026. At 30, the winner of second place at the 2024 Giro d'Italia has no intention of disappearing from the radar.

The Colombian's 2025 season was marked by ongoing health problems—allergies and illnesses that struck him at the worst possible time—which culminated in an early retirement in August. The results are grim: 53rd in the Giro d'Italia and only a seventh-place finish in Liège-Bastogne-Liège as a noteworthy result. "I had many health problems, I was sick, and I decided to stop racing in August to recover properly and focus on the following season," Martínez explained in an interview with the Colombian newspaper El Tiempo.

Meanwhile, the situation at Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe has become even more competitive: Remco Evenepoel joined a team already brimming with talent for the overall standings—with Primož Roglič, Florian Lipowitz, Jai Hindley, and the promising Giulio Pellizzari—this winter . An increasingly crowded internal hierarchy threatens to relegate Martínez to the background. But he's not having it.

"Moving up a few positions will be complicated," the Colombian admitted, "but the team's goals are clear. The big goal is the Tour de France, and we're all pushing in the same direction. It's the races that put everyone in their place. It's the legs that decide. I'm ready to move up the group."

Regarding Evenepoel, Martínez doesn't hide: "Everyone knows who he is. He's shown his potential and was the star rider at the start of the season. It's clear he's here to win." These are words of respect, but also of someone who doesn't want to give up his own space.

To relaunch his season, Martínez has already taken the first steps: a second-place finish in the time trial at the Colombian National Championships and a ninth-place finish at the Figueira Champions Classic demonstrate that his form is returning. The Volta ao Algarve —a race he won in 2023 and won two stages in 2024—will be his first stage test of the season. Next in his sights is Paris-Nice , where he hopes to showcase his qualities as a complete rider.

"This is my year of revenge," he declared bluntly. "Last year was really tough, and I want to use 2026 to make up for lost time." A clear message, sent to the cycling world and—why not?—to his teammates too.

Fantasy cycling tips: Martínez is a profile to keep an eye on in auctions and selections for mid-level stage races. With his motivation sky-high and the need to prove his worth on a team packed with champions, he could perform above expectations, especially in the Algarve, Paris-Nice, and the preparatory races for the Grand Tours. His performance at the 2024 Giro—second only to Pogačar—proves that when he's in form, he can be a real threat. This is a golden opportunity for those who choose him at a lower price than his true potential.