A fantastic performer down the years in the Ardennes Classics, Dan Martin had a rare off day at La Flèche Wallonne today; abandoning the race before the finale exploded.
However, his UAE Team Emirates squad has vowed to get
behind the Irishman for Sunday’s Liège-Bastogne-Liège.
Martin made his Ardennes debut as a 22-year-old back in 2009. That year he finished both La Flèche Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège; in 56th and 98th respectively.
Since then he has figured repeatedly in both; taking 5th
in Liège in 2012, winning it the following year and looking certain to win
again in 2014 when he crash on the last corner.
He was also 2nd in the event in 2017 but was an underwhelming
18th last year, after a mixed start to his tenure with his current employers.
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He has yet to win La Flèche Wallonne but was 6th in 2012, 4th in 2013, 2nd in 2014, 3rd in 2016 and 2nd in 2017.
Today his team said he didn’t feel good all day. And when
Martin was spat out by what remained of the rapidly thinning peloton on Côte de
Cherave with some 35km to race, his team switched to ‘Plan b’, Diego Ulissi.
The Italian went on to put in an inspired ride up the Mur
de Huy, finishing 3rd behind winner Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck-QuickStep)
and runner-up Jakob Fuglsang (Astana).
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Immediately after the race Ulissi said he was delighted
to step in for Dan Martin as team leader and place 3rd.
But, he added, the Irish cyclist would revert to team leader status at Sunday’s Liège-Bastogne-Liège.
“Today I was very good,” he said of his own performance;
one of the best results of his career.
“I moved on the last lap as planned, but then I saw that
behind, they didn’t let us go free.
“Dan wasn't on a good day. They told me about that over
the radio, and I tried to save energy and get back into contention again.
“I must say that I made a great final climb, very
consistent. I was also a little surprised because the last 200 metres have
always been a bit impossible for me, but not this time.
“We also moved very well as a team, first with Henao in
the breakaway of the first lap, and then with Rui Costa, who tried to help me
in the final.
“On Sunday, we have Liège-Bastogne-Liège, one of my
favourite races. I head there with a good physical condition. We must continue
like this.”
However, he added that Dan Martin would be the leader
once again for that race.
“This changes nothing. Dan has won Liège-Bastogne-Liège
before and been on the podium, too. And we have huge respect for his abilities.
On Sunday, it'll all be for Dan."
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