Dan Martin (centre, in sky blue) sprints to 4th place on the opening stage of the Volta a Catalunya today
Daniel Martin had told stickybottle in an interview at the weekend that he was feeling in good form and was raring to go for the Volta a Catalunya, and judging by his ride on the opening stage in Spain today that optimism was well founded.
The Garmin-Sharp Irish climber has finished second overall twice in this week-long stage race and when the selection was made as Team Sky split the field on the final climb today Martin was one of the few riders able to match that pace.
He made his way into the 13-man escape that moved clear over the top of that third category climb and down the other side, as Team Sky continued to push hard at the front towards the finish just 18kms after the final ascent was crested.
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They were working for their team leader Bradley Wiggins and while the Briton was in the escape so too were a number of the other men who will be fancied to make an impression this week. Among them were Martin, Alejandro Valverde (Movistar), Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha), Robert Gesink (Blanco) and Michele Scarponi (Lampre).
By the finish, the group had gained a lead of some 28 seconds on the bunch behind. Wiggins made a bid for stage honours, with Martin jumping after him in the sprint in an effort to open his 2013 account.
However, it was the Belgian Gianni Meersman (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) who was to prove the fastest of the escapees and he took the stage and the first leader’s jersey, with Martin forced to settle for 4th.
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However, he will be buoyed by the fact that his form appears to be where he wants it and with some tough climbing in the week ahead he will be on the hunt for his first win of the season and a place on the podium in the race for outright victory.
Ireland's other representative in the race, Nicolas Roche (Saxo-Tinkoff) finished in the bunch in 82nd place.
Stage 1: Calella 159km
1 Gianni Meersman (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) 3:55:56
2 Valerio Agnoli (Astana)
3 Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (Movistar)
4 Daniel Martin (Garmin-Sharp)
5 Danilo Wyss (BMC)
6 Bradley Wiggins (Sky)
7 Robert Gesink (Blanco)
8 Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha)
9 Michele Scarponi (Lampre)
10 David Lopez Garcia (Sky)
11 Dario Cataldo (Sky)
12 Przemyslaw Niemiec (Lampre)
13 Jesus Herrada Lopez (Movistar)
14 Koldo Fernandez (Garmin-Sharp) @28 seconds
15 Pim Ligthart (Vacansoleil)
16 Moreno Hofland (Blanco)
17 Andrew Fenn (Omega Pharma-Quick Step)
18 Francois Parisien (Argos-Shimano)
19 Julien Simon (Sojasun)
20 Stéphane Poulhies (Cofidis)
82 Nicolas Roche (Saxo-Tinkoff)
General Classification
1 Gianni Meersman (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) 3:55:46
2 Valerio Agnoli (Astana) @4 seconds
3 Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (Movistar) @6 seconds
4 Daniel Martin (Garmin-Sharp) @10 seconds
5 Danilo Wyss (BMC)
6 Bradley Wiggins (Sky)
7 Robert Gesink (Blanco)
8 Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha)
9 Michele Scarponi (Lampre)
10 David Lopez Garcia (Sky)
11 Dario Cataldo (Sky)
12 Przemyslaw Niemiec (Lampre)
13 Jesus Herrada Lopez (Movistar)
14 Thomas De Gendt (Vacansoleil-DCM) @37 seconds
15 Cédric Pineau (FDJ)
16 Koldo Fernandez (Garmin-Sharp) @38 seconds
17 Pim Ligthart (Vacansoleil-DCM)
18 Moreno Hofland (Blanco)
19 Andrew Fenn (Omega Pharma-Quick Step)
20 Francois Parisien (Argos-Shimano)
82 Nicolas Roche (Saxo-Tinkoff)
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