Dan Martin aggressive as Tour of Britain queen stage proves tough day for the Irish

Sean Downey holds third place overall in the Tour of Britain climbers' classification. Seen here on today's stage 6 (Photo: Larry Hickmott: VeloUK)

By Gavin McLoughlin

Dan Martin twice thrust himself toward glory, but his aggression backfired on stage 6 of the Tour of Britain today, Friday.

The Garmin-Sharp leader launched separate attacks on the first-category climb to the finish line, but was dropped unceremoniously by the favourites’ group after his second move was closed down by Nairo Quintana (Movistar) with 2.5 kilometres left.

Martin arrived home 1:01 behind stage victor Simon Yates and falls to 14^th overall at 2:32 behind race leader Bradley Wiggins.

Coming off the back of a nasty crash that plunged him out of the Vuelta a Espana and significantly disrupted his World Championships preparation, the Irishman had been among the strongest riders at this event until today.

He has also been tipped widely as a contender for the rainbow jersey in the Elite Men’s Road Race on Sunday week, and it is difficult to gauge whether today was a single off-day or an indicator that his condition is fading ahead of the Worlds.

The disappointed Martin gave a little shake of the head as he trundled towards the finish line alone, and the true nature of his fitness will be revealed when he takes on the very best in Tuscany next week.

However, his efforts this week have looked like preparation for the Worlds more than carefully measured surges to try and win this race so hopefully today’s result is not a sign of his form for Sunday week.

The Swiss professional Martin Elmiger (IAM Cycling) finished second on today’s stage, and this result saw him wrest the points jersey from yesterday’s victor Sam Bennett (An Post-Chainreaction).

The Irishman began the morning one point clear of the IAM rider, but today’s finish did not favour him. After finishing 7:35 off the stage winner, he is now 13 points behind Elmiger and sits third in the battle for the blue jersey.

It was a difficult day in the saddle for Sean Downey and Peter Hawkins, and they arrived well down at 13:53 and 14:01 behind Yates respectively.

Frenetic attacking marked the start of today’s 137-kilometre ride from Sidmouth to Haytor, as the break of the day took about 45 minutes to be established.

Finally a quintet consisting of Angel Madrazo (Movistar), Kristian House (Rapha Condor JLT), Liam Holohan (Madison Genesis), Ian Wilkinson (UK Youth) and Martin Velits (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) managed to get up the road.

As usual, Sky did most of the chasing, but today they were assisted from a long way out by the massed ranks of Bardiani Valvole- CSF Inox.

The Italian squad was demonstrating serious ambition on a day that suited Martin on paper, encompassing as it did three categorised climbs before the final 5.8-kilometre climb to the summit finish.

Out front, Madrazo was greedily gobbling up more points in the mountains and intermediate sprints competitions. The Spaniard conveyed the depth of his suffering by pulling a vast array of anguished facial expressions, channelling the spirit of eccentric French rider Thomas Voeckler to dramatic effect.

Wilkinson and House were distanced on the penultimate climb and the rest of the escapees would be hoovered up just shy of the final ascent. Still Bardiani Valvole pushed hard and it would be their man Stefano Pirazzi who was first to attack, with 4.5 kilometres remaining.

Martin’s first move came when he rode up to and past Pirazzi to with 3.2 kilometres left, but the Irishman could not establish a serious advantage and quickly he was caught.

Sky super-domestique David Lopez was setting the pace but it was not especially fierce, and then Martin attacked for the second time with 2.5 kilometres to go.

The Irishman was baring his teeth in the exertion but again he could not get much of a lead, and when Quintana came across and imperiously kept on going, a now-struggling Martin moved over to the opposite side of the road.

Quickly the Garmin-Sharp man was moving backwards through the field, and for him the game was up as far as stage honours were concerned.

The win would ultimately go to the ultra-promising British youngster Simon Yates (Great Britain), who powerfully rounded a charging David Lopez in the final 150 metres as a small group contested the finish.

Race leader Wiggins arrived safely with that contingent, and barring illness or injury he looks nailed-on for the overall victory.

@gavmcloughlin