Ireland's Dan Martin attacks the favourites group in the final kilometres of today's stage 13 of the Vuelta a Espana.
Dan Martin said before the Vuelta a Espana that he believed it was most important to be in great shape in the third and final week of the race. And the Irish rider suggested today he is in the condition he hoped for a fortnight into the action.
An uncategorised climb just before the finish line of the 188.7km stage 13 from Belorado to Obregón Parque de Cabárceno proved tougher than the riders expected.
And with the early escape having been mopped up, it was Daniel Navarro (Cofidis) that pounced from the peloton as it was fragmenting.
He never managed to build a large gap, but the handful of seconds he gained would prove sufficient and he ran out the stage winner by just two seconds from Daniel Moreno (Katusha) and Wilco Kelderman (Belkin).
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Martin (Garmin Sharp) was in a group just three further seconds adrift; finishing 9th and with the main favourites.
However, he once again showed his teeth in attacking twice up the final climb from the group of main favourites and at one stage pulled clear with Chris Froome (Team Sky).
While ultimately he did not shake off his rivals, his aggression after such a long stage suggests he has plenty in the tank for the tough final week.
Philip Deignan of Team Sky, who was once again involved in team duties for Froome, came home 2:26 down.
Daniel Navarro (Cofidis) wins after taking his chances on what was a much tougher finale than expected.
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Stage 13: Belorado - Obregón Parque de Cabárceno
1 Daniel Navarro Garcia (Spa) Cofidis, Solutions Credits 4:21:04
2 Daniel Moreno Fernandez (Spa) Team Katusha 0:00:02
3 Wilco Kelderman (Ned) Belkin Pro Cycling Team
4 Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (Spa) Movistar Team 0:00:05
5 Nacer Bouhanni (Fra) FDJ.fr
6 Damiano Caruso (Ita) Cannondale
7 Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Tinkoff-Saxo
8 Robert Gesink (Ned) Belkin Pro Cycling Team
9 Daniel Martin (Irl) Garmin Sharp
10 Gianluca Brambilla (Ita) Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team
11 Joaquin Rodriguez Oliver (Spa) Team Katusha
12 Rigoberto Uran Uran (Col) Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team
13 Christopher Froome (GBr) Team Sky
14 Samuel Sanchez (Spa) BMC Racing Team
15 Peio Bilbao (Spa) Caja Rural - Seguros RGA
90 Philip Deignan (Irl) Team Sky 0:02:26
General Classification
1 Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Tinkoff-Saxo 48:59:23
2 Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (Spa) Movistar Team 0:00:20
3 Rigoberto Uran Uran (Col) Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team 0:01:08
4 Christopher Froome (GBr) Team Sky 0:01:20
5 Joaquin Rodriguez Oliver (Spa) Team Katusha 0:01:35
6 Samuel Sanchez (Spa) BMC Racing Team 0:01:52
7 Fabio Aru (Ita) Astana Pro Team 0:02:13
8 Winner Anacona Gomez (Col) Lampre-Merida 0:02:37
9 Robert Gesink (Ned) Belkin Pro Cycling Team 0:02:55
10 Damiano Caruso (Ita) Cannondale 0:03:51
11 Daniel Martin (Irl) Garmin Sharp 0:03:59
12 Daniel Navarro Garcia (Spa) Cofidis, Solutions Credits 0:04:11
13 Wilco Kelderman (Ned) Belkin Pro Cycling Team 0:04:53
14 Warren Barguil (Fra) Team Giant-Shimano 0:04:56
15 Daniel Moreno Fernandez (Spa) Team Katusha 0:06:01
60 Philip Deignan (Irl) Team Sky 0:50:50
Ireland's Philip Deignan sits third Team Sky rider in line on today's long stage 13 of the Vuelta a Espana.
It was another tough day of racing under Spain's sunny blue skies.
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