Garmin's Martin out of Tour with knee problems

Dan Martin (Garmin-Slipstream) has been ruled out of the Tour de France with a knee injury

Dan Martin (Garmin-Slipstream) has been ruled out of the Tour de France with a knee injury (Image credit: Shane Stokes in Alto de La Cobertoria)

Young Irish rider Daniel Martin has been forced to withdraw from the Garmin Slipstream's team for this year's Tour de France, two days before the race starts in Monaco.  The 22-year-old was set to make his debut in the event but has had a lingering knee injury. His uncle Stephen Roche, Tour winner in 1987, confirmed to Cyclingnews that the climber has been forced to play it safe and will instead focus on the Vuelta a España.