Dan Martin has Liège-Bastogne-Liège snatched away by Valverde
Dan Martin looked set to take his second victory at Liége-Bastogne-Liége. But then came the irrepressible Alejandro Valverde.
By Brian Canty
Dan Martin has finished 2nd in Liége-Bastogne-Liége, after once again being beaten by Alejandro Valverde.
The Irish man struck out for victory on the final ramp up to the finish line in the Belgian city of Ans. He looked odds-on to take the win.
He arrowed clear of a select front group of riders that contained the likes of Dylan Teuns (BMC Racing), Adam Yates and Michael Albasini (Orica-SCOTT).
Also present were Greg Van Avermaet (BCM Racing), Romain Bardet (Ag2R La Mondiale), Jakob Fuglsang (Astana) and of course, Valverde of Movistar, amongst others.
And just when Martin rounded the final bend before the finish line it was the latter who got across to him.
Advertisement
Related News
He paused for a moment before stepping on the gas one last time. And that was enough to take him away from Martin and breeze home for his fourth win in the race.
He also became the oldest ever winner of it at 36 years, though he will turn 37 years on Tuesday.
Martin cut a truly shattered figure behind Valverde at the finish. He attempted one last futile surge for victory, or possibly to make 100 sure of second place.
Rounding out the podium in third was Milan-San Remo winner Michael Kwiatkowski (Team Sky).
It brings to an end a brilliant Ardennes Classics campaign for Dan Martin.
And though he would gladly give up two seconds for one win he can only take positives from his performances.
Heading into the months ahead his focus will now switch to the Tour de France.
It was a day too for the other Irish involvement in the race.
Debutants Aqua Blue Sport placed Aaron Gate in the break of eight that spent much of the 260-kilometre contest out front.
At one time they had a lead of almost a quarter of an hour. But when Movistar and several of the big teams began to share the pace-setting the gap tumbled hand over fist.
Topics
