Dan Martin finding his climbing legs in Austria, mixes it up on snow hit mountains

In his first stage race since breaking a collarbone at the Giro d'Italia, Dan Martin is showing signs of returning to race winning form at the Tour of Austria.

Dan Martin edged another step closer to his best form today when he took fifth place on stage 5 of the Tour of Austria in St Johann.

Kiwi Jesse Sergeant of Trek Factory Racing took his first ever road race victory as a professional when he rode away from a five-man breakaway on the penultimate climb and spent the last 20km out front solo.

Frenchman Yohan Bagot of Cofidis, however, was the only other rider to remain out front from the break as Team Sky kept the pressure on at the front of the race for race leader Pete Kennaugh.

On another cold stage with snow and sleet showers barraging the riders during the 146km route, Martin climbed the final ascent as part of the yellow jersey group, taking third in the sprint to the summit behind Austrian pro Patrick Konrad (Gourmetfein Simpln Wels) and Damiano Caruso of Lampre.

While Martin, who is riding his first stage race since breaking his collarbone at the Giro d’Italia, admits he hasn’t trained much in recent months, he looks to be returning to some decent climbing form.

Having finished eighth at the finish atop the opening day’s 3km final ascent, the Garmin Sharp pro is slowly building towards an assault on the Vuelta a Espana in August.

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Currently 18th overall, four minutes behind race leader Kennaugh, tomorrow’s stage gives Martin another chance to move up the general classification standings or go for a stage win, ending with the 16km ascent of the Dobratsch.

July 6th to 13th: Tour of Austria

Stage 5: Osttirol to St Johann-Alpendorf 146.4km

General Classification