Dan Martin nearing the finishing line after once again emptying the tank on a gruelling 17th stage of the Tour de France today. The Etixx-QuickStep rider remains in the top 10 overall and is still confident of a stage result before the race concludes on Sunday.
By Brian Canty
Dan Martin has said he remains optimistic of some “nice results” before the Tour de France comes to a conclusion this Sunday in Paris.
The Etixx-QuickStep rider made a brave effort to improve his ninth place on general classification in this afternoon’s 17th stage by attacking a select group of contenders on the approach to the summit finish at Finhaut-Emosson.
But a cluster of Team Sky riders continuing to set a strong pace on the front of the group put paid to his chances of moving further up the standings.
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The Irishman surged inside four kilometres to go but Wout Poels and Mikel Landa were having none of it as they reeled him in.
“I thought Sky will back off, especially as Chris Froome didn't have any problems, but they kept on going and chased me,” said Martin.
“I am five minutes down on him in the GC, so I take this as a compliment, because it looks like I'm still a threat for them,” added Martin, tongue in cheek.
“I remain confident and hope for some nice results in the next three days in the mountains.”
Any hopes of a stage win for him vanished when a group went up the road and were never seen again, with Russian Ilnur Zakarin (Katusha) taking the day with a solo win.
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He and his fellow escapees built a 13-minute gap by the foot of the penultimate climb and it was obvious the winner would come from that selection.
Several riders lost contact on the punishing terrain with only KOH jersey wearer Rafal Majka (Tinkoff), Sunday’s stage winner Jarlinson Pantano (IAM Cycling) and Zakarin making it over the top in the lead.
Zakarin, who has previously served a two-year doping ban, moved away from his companions on the final climb and soloed to victory with Pantano 55 seconds back in second.
It was arguably the finest moment of the Katusha rider’s career, though he has won Romandie.
In the battle for GC, Froome tightened his grip on the lead after distancing those closest to him by following an attack by former teammate Richie Porte (BMC) in the final kilometres.
The latter led Froome across the line as second on GC Bauke Molleme (Trek Segafredo) lost 40 seconds and Adam Yates (Orica-BikeExchange) eight seconds.
Of those expected to challenge, Nairo Quintana (Movistar) struggled to respond to the change of pace by Porte and Froome and he could not go with either, thus losing valuable seconds and remaining fourth overall.
Mollema now trails by 2:27 with Yates at 2:53 and Quintana at 3:27. Martin is 5:50 down – and three minutes off the podium - though he has tomorrow’s uphill time-trial to try and improve his position.
Sam Bennett came across the line in a group almost 40 minutes down and is last man on general classification.
His only goal now is to make Paris on Sunday where he would become just one of a few Irish riders to finish the Tour de France.
Tomorrow’s 17-kilometre time-trial will just be about making the time limit before he tackles two more days in the Alps ahead of Sunday’s final showdown.
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