Dan Martin was a popular man at the stage start in Bagá. The Irishman started today's fourth stage as leader of the Volta A Catalunya but lost the jersey to Nairo Quintana this afternoon.
By Brian Canty
Dan Martin has lost the race lead at the Volta A Catalunya following a brutal day of attacks on the fourth stage of the race.
The Etixx-QuickStep man started Thursday's 172-kilometre journey from Baga to the summit finish at Port Aine just six seconds clear of multiple Grand Tour winner Alberto Contador (Tinkoff) with Frenchman Romain Bardet (Ag2r La Mondiale) a further two seconds back.
Approaching the final ascent to the cat 1 summit it was clear that Tinkoff were keen to set up Contador for a tilt at the race lead as they set a furious tempo at the front, though Martin looked good most of the way up.
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The Irish leader sat in third wheel behind teammate Carlos Verona as the peloton thinned out considerably.
Indeed, Verona rode superbly in service of Martin and at 23 years old he looks like a real prospect.
The climb is one Martin knew well and was arguably the scene of one of his most important victories, that being a famous stage win at the same race three years ago when would also claim the final overall.
At five kilometres to go the attacking really started, Team Sky taking up the running at the head of affairs.
Martin was isolated at this point but kept cool, despite the stellar names that surrounded him.
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Tejay Van Garderen (BMC Racing Team) was the first of the GC contenders to really get some daylight after attacking inside three kilometres to go.
That provoked more accelerations, with Richie Porte (BMC Racing Team), Contador and Nairo Quintana (Movistar) all moving clear.
With stage matters being contested up ahead by a number of riders down the general classification, it was Quintana and Contador who struck out in search of the race lead.
The Colombian blasted clear of the latter and would finish the day second but his margin of victory was enough to see him take back the 19 seconds he needed from Martin.
The Irishman was 10th on the stage and dropped to fourth overall, though he is still well in contention at 24 seconds.
Contador and Porte make up the top three. Thomas de Gendt (Lotto-Soudal) was the day’s stage victor after a brilliant solo ride.
Tomorrow’ stage five is much easier than today and yesterday, though a category two climb close to the finish will encourage more attacks.
A flat stage six on Saturday is likely to end in a bunch sprint and a final circuit stage around Barcelona should not see any further shake-ups in GC.
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