Video: Is this analysis of Dan Martin's Dauphine podium unfair to him?

Some of the analysis of Dan Martin's jump onto the podium at the Dauphiné we think misses the point - he was the best in the race over the last few days.

 

Dan Martin is reflecting today on one of the best weeks of his career; putting a really strong ride together at Criterium du Dauphiné.

Most pleasing for the Irishman is that he actually seemed to get stronger as the race went on.

In the final kilometres of the last two stages none of the group of favourites could live with him, not even Tour de France champion and eventual Dauphiné winner Chris Froome of Team Sky.

Martin's sprint from about 400 metres out to the summit finish line on Saturday's stage really was amazing.

And when he pulled the trigger yesterday on another summit finish the scenario was almost identical.

Advertisement

Martin's explosive petrol engine saw him pull the select group apart on that final stage, where he took 2nd and enough bonification seconds to jump from 4th to 3rd overall.

Romain Bardet was just behind Martin in 3rd place on the stage and he jumped from 3rd to 2nd overall.

So with Bardet and Martin both moving up one place overall, it was Richie Porte of BMC who last out on a podium place.

The classy Australian relinquished 5 seconds to both Bardet and Martin in the surge to the line, even before the time bonuses were factored in.

Related News

In the end, Porte finished just two seconds down overall on Martin.

Some of the cycling media has suggested today that Porte only lost out because he found himself boxed in and was unable to go after Dan Martin when the Etixx-QuickStep rider jumped hard for the line.

Have a look at the clip below from the air. Porte was boxed in, but we think it was Martin's surge that did the damage here.

It must also be said Porte was only blocked for a moment and could have corrected the situation had he had the legs.

It is very doubtful that Porte could have lived with the Irishman, who is perhaps the best in the world at explosive climbing efforts when he is on song.

Let us know what you think.

 

Check this out

 

 

Topics
frontpage

Related News