'I know I didn't intend to cheat' – Lenny Martinez looks back on controversial Tour de France sticky bottle which drew criticism from fans and former pros

Bahrain - Victorious team's French rider Lenny Martinez cycles to the finish line of the 19th stage of the 112th edition of the Tour de France cycling race, 93.1 km between Albertville and La Plagne, in the French Alps, on July 25, 2025. The 19th stage of the Tour de France was shorted from its initial 129.9 km route, bypassing the Col des Saisies where an outbreak of nodular dermatitis in a herd of cattle was discovered, prompting organizers to modify the race route. (Photo by Loic VENANCE / AFP) (Photo by LOIC VENANCE/AFP via Getty Images).

After being involved in one of the 2025 Tour de France's most controversial moments, Lenny Martinez has gone into more detail about his lack of intention to "cheat" when he gained a significant advantage using a sticky bottle, and offered a reaction to the criticism he received.

Martinez was filmed by TV cameras as he struggled up the Col du Glandon on stage 18 of this year's Tour, and took three sticky bottles in quick succession from DS Roman Kreuziger to make it up to the group he'd previously been in.