Agony for Tony Martin on Vuelta as Dan Martin and Nicolas Roche ready for showdown

Tony Martin put in an absolutely mega ride at the Vuelta today, only being overhauled on the finishing straight after a day out front his own, with the bunch sprint going to Nicolas Roche's Saxo-Tinfokk team mate Michael Mørkøv.

By Gavin McLoughlin

On another day for the quick men at the Vuelta a Espana, Dan Martin and Nicolas Roche successfully managed to hold station on stage 6 today, Thursday.

As World Time Trial Champion Tony Martin (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) came agonisingly close to pulling off an epic breakaway win, the Irish duo finished in the main pack.

There were no categorised climbs today so Saxo-Tinkoff’s Roche will continue to wear the mountains jersey tomorrow. The in-form Irishman also retains the combined classification and is still third overall, 8 seconds behind race-leader Vicenzo Nibali.

Dan Martin’s goal has been to make it through the flatter stages without losing any time on general classification and this he accomplished again today. The Garmin-Sharp leader is 31^st overall, 1:47 behind Nibali and is expected to pounce and stamp his authority on the race as early as this weekend when the riders face a climbing showdown.

Omega Pharma-Quick Step’s Tony Martin was the lone escapee on today’s 175-kilometre ride from Guijuelo to Cáceres, the German riding away early on and getting in some solo practice ahead of his World Time-Trial title defence in Tuscany at the end of September.

The time-trial specialist was said to be struggling with a saddle-sore and did not look especially comfortable out front, spending a lot of time crouching over his top tube.

Orica-Green Edge and Argos-Shimano did the donkey work at the front of the peloton for much of the day, and with 12 kilometres remaining Martin was within touching distance.

It looked like it was all over for the German powerhouse but as the chasers started to look at each other his advantage began to creep out again. The gap seemed to hover around 15 seconds for an age, and when finally Martin’s lead began to melt away it became clear that it would be excruciatingly tight.

His advantage stood at 6 seconds with a kilometre to go, and still the German stamped furiously on the pedals. But with his time-trialling nemesis Fabian Cancellara (Radioshack-Leopard) now contributing behind, Martin would be cruelly denied, as the pursuers managed to sail ruthlessly past in the final 25 metres.

Roche’s teammate Michael Mørkøv was fastest, and he was the one who managed to claim stage honours.

It looks certain to be another bunch finish on tomorrow’s 206-kilometre trek from Almendralejo to Mairena de Aljarafe, so keep your fingers crossed for the Irish duo to once more make it through unscathed.

@gavmcloughlin