After a "rollercoaster" of a race where he stood on the winner's podium on Stage 6 and then on the side of the road after a nasty crash on Stage 8, Martin said he always races to 'make it count'.
Despite his injuries, the Irishman heads to Paris eighth overall after also animating the remainder of the race in the Alps and the Pyrenees.
SBS reporter Sophie Smith broke the news to Martin of his super combativity award.
"What? really? Oh wow! Geez," he exclaimed. "I don't really race just make to the race entertaining.
"I always try to calculate when to attack and try to make it count. I'm racing to win. but...that's incredible."
Martin said he quietly aimed for a podium place in Paris and while this wasn't the one he planned it is still significant.
"I didn't really say that too much in the media. Obviously with crashes and misfortune it didn't happen. Obviously to get (the most aggressive rider) that's huge. that means really a lot."
While Tour organisers called for the public to vote for their choice of Julian Alaphilippe, Warren Barguil, Sylvain Chavanel, Lawson Craddock, Damien Gaudin, Peter Sagan, Alejandro Valverde and Martin, the jury made the final decision.
