Yorkshire’s Armitstead finds unselfish support from Martin

As demonstrated in the Tour de France, when sprint king Mark Cavendish collected bottles for Bradley Wiggins, who repaid his Team Sky colleague by leading him into finishes and wins in Brive-la-Gaillarde and Paris, cycling is very much a team pursuit.

Sunday’s 140-kilometre women’s road race, which starts and finishes on The Mall, will be unpredictable and Britain need to adapt to how the event unfolds on the road.

Martin has been selected specifically to ride alongside and look after Yorkshire rider Armitstead, who is the nominated leader if the race finishes in a sprint, with 2008 champion Nicole Cooke, who will be given licence to roam, and Emma Pooley completing the team.

Martin said: “I’ll be there to support Lizzie, anything she needs. Just protect her, keep her out the wind and make sure she doesn’t have to exert herself too much until the final moment.”

While cycling is a team sport, individuals are rewarded the medals. Women’s road coach Chris Newton said: “For any athlete to commit so much to not win and to put another athlete in a winning position, it’s almost like you’re rewarding a striker in football and the rest of the team getting nothing.”

The role is easier for Martin to fulfil as the 22-year-old from Widnes and Armitstead are close friends, who train and race together all year round.

“I race with her the whole year, we share a room all the time, so I know her really well,” Martin added. “That’s really helpful for in the race – she can just look at me and I know how she’s feeling.”

Otley’s Armitstead is one of the favourites to win a medal.