Dan Martin had a brilliant week at the Criterium du Dauphiné, taking fourth on two stages as well as claiming a third and a second. Based on his current form he will go to the Tour de France as one of the top GC favourites.
Dan Martin has expressed his pride at how he rode this week at the Criterium du Dauphiné, saying being the first Irishman to finish on the podium at the traditional Tour de France warm-up gives him enormous satisfaction.
The Etixx-QuickStep man finished third overall behind winner Chris Froome (Team Sky) and Romain Bardet (Ag2r La Mondiale), though only 19 seconds separated the top three.
“Today we wanted to try to win the stage and get the bonus seconds because it would have helped us secure the podium,” said Martin of the bonifications for the top three at the end of the stage.
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“But when (eventual winner Steve) Cummings went he was too far ahead, so we changed the plan and we focused on improving our general classification.
“On the second-to-last climb, Contador attacked and I suffered, but I managed to come back on the downhill.
“We were aware there was a strong headwind on the final ascent, so I waited for as long as possible before accelerating.
“Bardet was following me but I went full gas and never looked over my shoulder.
“After crossing the line I had no idea I was in the top three; it was only on my way to the bus that our sport director Jan Schaffrath told me that I climbed in the GC", said the Irishman.
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He adds his podium finish to the one he secured at the Volta A Catalunya in March, again nicking a time bonus in Spain to move to third overall - both final stage rides showing a renewed hunger in Martin to scrap to get onto podiums.
He will now turn his attention to the Tour de France, which starts in less than three weeks.
“This achievement makes me really proud; to be the first one that does something special for my country is fantastic," he said of his podium placing.
Martin's team said the best previous Irish result was 6th overall some 32 years ago.
It was Stephen Roche who took that placing in 1984, also winning the points classification that year. Roche won the two TT stages on the race the following year.
Sean Kelly mostly opted for the Tour de Suisse at this time of the season, which he won twice overall and claimed five stages in.
Continued Martin: “I'm going home satisfied and motivated to continue my preparation for the Tour de France and work on my explosiveness.
“My goal is to be ready, fresh and as relaxed as possible at the start of the Tour.”
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