The sweetest joy for Lenny Martinez, son and grandson of cycling royalty, arrives at the prestigious finish line in Nice. The Bahrain-Victorious Frenchman beats yellow jersey wearer Vingegaard in a two-man sprint: "I'm incredibly happy, what a victory - explains Lenny, 22 years old - Yes, I've been chasing it since the start of the season, and then winning ahead of Jonas, after a two-man breakaway with him, makes it all even more special. My parents are here too, I saw them on the big screen celebrating, that makes me even happier".

It's Martinez's 11th career victory, his second success at Paris-Nice after the 2025 win, but throughout his career he has also claimed the Trofeo Laigueglia 2024 and the Mont Ventoux classic in 2023. The sprint was incredibly tight: "Yes, Vingegaard really wanted to win. When I saw the finish line I thought: I have to attack. But as I was launching my effort, I thought: maybe it's a bit too far away. Then I started to feel a shadow coming up along my back. I was really scared, but I didn't give up and I'm incredibly happy to have won the race".

A prestigious success for the Frenchman who will be back at the Flèche Wallonne and then at the Romandie and Tour of Switzerland, before heading to the Tour de France. "I've been performing well every day, I haven't had many dips in form. Compared to last year things have changed; I'm more consistent and have better chances of winning a stage at the end of a stage race, that's my motto. I'm happy to be at this level, I'm happy with my week. It's curious how, year after year, it's precisely in moments like these that you start building momentum for your career. It was an important day, honestly. I had started the season well, fourth or fifth in the standings, I was there, but I wanted more. That's why today's victory is special".

In the general classification the twenty-three-year-old from Cannes finished fifth and this result has important value for him ahead of the upcoming appointments.