Dan Martin had been absolutely motoring at the Tour de France until the past few stages and it has now emerged he has been suffering from a virus which has floored him. Let's hope he can continue and come out of this race in good condition to target his goals in the rest of the season, including the World Road Race Championships
Dan Martin’s sudden loss of form at the Tour de France is due to the fact the Irish rider has contracted a virus in recent days.
Martin had been enjoying a very strong race; taking victory on the mountains of stage 9 and staying well in contention in the overall standings in 10th place as the race entered the current tough period in the Alps.
However, the wheels appeared to come off his wagon in recent days.
Advertisement
On Tuesday’s stage 16 into Gap, Martin was safely in the peloton until the final climb of the day, the second-category Col de Manse which peaked 12 kilometres from the finish line.
On that ascent a breakaway containing Nicolas Roche was over 10 minutes up the road and attacking each other for the stage win while back in the bunch the Katusha team went to the front and forced that pace.
Their work ripped the peloton apart, with an eight-man group containing the main overall favourites pulling clear of the rest. Martin missed that move on a climb where he would have expected to, at the very least, hold the top climbers. He eventually came in just over one minute behind that breakaway.
Yesterday, Wednesday, he was expected to perform well in the hilly 32km time trial, having been climbing very well and having improved his performance’s against the watch this year. However, he came home a very distant 32nd, some 3:22 down on stage winner and race leader Chris Froome (Team Sky).
Related News
And on today’s 18th stage he was distanced by the favourites on the first climb of the day inside the opening half hour of racing. While he regained contact, he struggled all day.
When the race reached the first of two ascents of the legendary Alpe d’Huez, Martin could not withstand the pace for long and was dropped for good with about 60 kilometres remaining; eventually finishing in large group some 25:10 down.
He fell to 19th on general classification, 34:22 behind race leader Froome and almost 20 minutes outside the top ten overall; a position which he was holding comfortably until the last few days.
It has now emerged he has been suffering from a virus in recent days, which took hold on Tuesday and judging by his time loss in recent days has only worsened.
It is unclear if it might force him out of the race but if we hear any news in that regard we will bring it to you immediately so stay tuned.
Let's hope he can continue and come out of this race in good condition to target his goals during the rest of the season, including the World Road Race Championships, for which he would start as a main favourite on the hilly course in Florence, Italy, once he is healthy.
