Stage win and leader’s jersey gives Dan Martin a day to remember in Catalunya
By Brian Canty
Daniel Martin has enjoyed one of the best days of his career, with his aggressive riding and climbing power being rewarded with victory on the queen stage of the Volta a Catalunya.
The Irishman has also taken the overall lead in the race, where he has twice been runner up.
Martin was 9th overall this morning, just 30 seconds down on overnight leader Alejandro Valverde (Movistar). However, he was not content to defend a top 10 result or follow wheels, opting instead to go up the road early in the 217km mountain stage.
He was among a group of 23 riders that went clear after 40kms, just after the first of six hours in the saddle.
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And in the end as the race finished up the 19km hors category Port Ainé-Rialp, Martin was the only one of the escapees to last out front to the summit as the race blew to pieces behind.
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He crossed the finish line alone for an epic victory, with 36 seconds to spare over second placed Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha) despite Team Sky and the main favourites hunting him down on the final climb.
He now leads overall by 10 seconds from Rodriguez with three stages remaining. This morning’s leader Valverde crashed out of today’s race.
Stage 4: Llanars-Vall de Camprodon - Port Ainé-Rialp 217km
1 Dan Martin (Garmin-Sharp) 6:02:40
2 Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha) @36 secs
3 Nairo Alexander Quintana Rojas (Movistar)
4 Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Lotto Belisol) @47 secs
5 Robert Gesink (Blanco) @51 secs
6 Bradley Wiggins (Sky) @1:02
7 Peter Stetina (Garmin-Sharp)
8 Michele Scarponi (Lampre)
General Classification
1 Daniel Martin (Garmin-Sharp) 18:48:38
2 Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha) @10 secs
3 Nairo Alexander Quintana Rojas (Movistar) @32 secs
4 Bradley Wiggins (Sky) @36 secs
5 Michele Scarponi (Lampre) @39 secs
6 Robert Gesink (Blanco) @51 secs
7 Przemyslaw Niemiec (Lampre) @1:00
8 Peter Stetina (Garmin-Sharp) @1:07
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