With victory in the Tour of Lombardy already in his palmares, Dan Martin tuned up for the 2017 edition on Saturday with a strong showing in Italy today. He is beginning to look sharp again after his long post-Tour de France lay-off.
Dan Martin looks stronger before Il Lombardia
Just two days out from the Tour of Lombardy and Dan Martin has put in a very solid shift in Italy.
His 11th in Milano-Torino won’t exactly go down as one of his career-best results.
But coming as it does after a decent showing at the World Championships, and on the road back from injury; it was not to be sniffed at.
Dan Martin will now go into Lombardy as one of the favourites; not of the red-hot variety but capable of winning nonetheless.
He was forced to rest for six weeks after his best ever Tour de France. A crash at the start of week two saw him fracture some vertebrae.
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However, though he struggled to walk after some of the stages he persevered and would place 6th overall into Paris.
Moreover, his diagnosis only came after the race was over.
And though he has been quiet since then, finishing in the front group at the Worlds suggested he had more to offer in 2017.
Furthermore, his result today in the UCI 1.HC semi-classic adds some evidence to that thesis.
Of course the front of the race today was littered with the men Dan Martin must beat on Saturday to win Il Lombardia for a second time.
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Rigoberto Uran continues his season of resurgence; taking an assured win for Cannondale-Drapac today.
He went to battle with Adam Yates of Orica-Scott and saw off the younger man to win solo by 10 seconds.
A little further back came Fabio Aru; rounding out the podium for Astana.
Ireland’s Martin would lost 56 seconds as the select group split on the second of two ascents of the 4.9km Superga.
And it was on that climb, raced twice in the last 25km, that Uran asserted himself.
He first pulled clear with a six-man group but would surge away on the climb.
Behind him though Yates attacked the favourites group to catch and go through the men Uran had just dropped.
Dan Martin one of Il Lombardia favourites
And the young British rider hunted down the Colombian all the way to the finish line.
The gap between leader and chaser was 22 seconds with 1km remaining. As a result of Yates driving hard, he closed to just 10 on the uphill finish.
Consequently, Uran decided to forego any elaborate celebration for fear he might be caught from behind.
Martin was definitely some way behind those who made the real running today.
But his form has improved. As a result, he must be regarded as a contender for Saturday.
Thurs, Oct 5th: Milano-Torino (186km)
1 Rigoberto Uran (Col) Cannondale-Drapac 4:24:51
2 Adam Yates (GBr) Orica-Scott 0:00:10
3 Fabio Aru (Ita) Astana Pro Team 0:00:20
4 Nairo Quintana (Col) Movistar Team 0:00:28
5 David Gaudu (Fra) FDJ 0:00:31
6 Wout Poels (Ned) Team Sky
7 Daniel Martinez (Col) Wilier Triestina 0:00:33
8 Thibaut Pinot (Fra) FDJ 0:00:35
9 Pierre Roger Latour (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale 0:00:43
10 Peter Stetina (USA) Trek-Segafredo 0:00:53
11 Daniel Martin (Irl) Quick-Step Floors 0:00:56
12 Rein Taaramäe (Est) Katusha-Alpecin 0:00:57
13 Giovanni Visconti (Ita) Bahrain-Merida 0:01:05
14 Mikael Cherel (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale
15 Pello Bilbao (Spa) Astana Pro Team 0:01:11
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