Lenny Martinez (born 11 July 2003) is a French professional racing cyclist, who currently rides for UCI WorldTeam . He is the son, grandson and nephew of former racing cyclists Miguel, Mariano and Yannick Martinez respectively.
Career
On 16 July 2022 during stage 4 of the Giro della Valle d'Aosta Martinez along with teammate Reuben Thompson were the last men standing from the group of favorites. Martinez, who had just extended his lead gave the win to Thompson. On 1 June 2022, Martinez got to ride for as a development rider with the team at the 2022 Mercan'Tour Classic where he finished in eighth position, beating UCI WorldTour professional cyclists all while helping leader David Gaudu finish in fourth. On 3 August 2022, confirmed they had signed Martinez into their UCI WorldTeam for 2023.
On 31 August 2023, during the 6th stage of the 2023 Vuelta a España, he was part of a large breakaway that went all the way to the finish in the Astrophysical Observatory of Javalambre. He came second in the stage behind Sepp Kuss (), but enough to take the red jersey by 8 seconds ahead of Kuss. He became the youngest leader ever in the history of the Vuelta. He also became the second youngest cyclist to wear a leader's jersey in a Grand Tour since 1904, at 20 years and 51 days, behind Henri Cornet's 19 years and 344 days in the 1904 Tour de France.
Major results
Sources: 2021 1st Overall Giro della Lunigiana 1st Stage 3 3rd Overall Ain Bugey Valromey Tour National Junior Road Championships 3rd Road race 3rd Time trial 3rd Road race, UEC European Junior Road Championships 3rd Classique des Alpes 2022 1st Overall Giro della Valle d'Aosta 1st Young rider classification Ronde de l'Isard 1st Mountains classification 1st Stages 4 & 6 3rd Overall Giro Ciclistico d'Italia 1st Mountains classification 1st Young rider classification 8th Overall Tour de l'Avenir 8th Mercan'Tour Classic 2023 1st Mont Ventoux Dénivelé Challenge 2nd Classic Grand Besançon Doubs 4th Mercan'Tour Classic 8th Grand Prix La Marseillaise Vuelta a España Held after Stages 6–7 Held after Stages 6–9