Dan Martin survived a wobble on the way to an underwhelming result, but will be one of the big hitters when the road goes up in Switzerland, starting with tomorrow's slopes.
Gavin McLoughlin
Ireland’s Dan Martin and Nicolas Roche have enjoyed mixed fortunes on the opening day of the Tour de Susisse, with Roche posting a respectable performance but Martin well down the field after almost crashing in the stage 1 time trial.
On a blustery afternoon in the picturesque environs of Quinto, Liège-Bastogne-Liège and Volta a Catalunya winner Martin went around the 8.2 kilometre course in 10:37 for 117th place.
The Irishman’s effort was hampered by a cornering error in the final two kilometres, with his momentum propelling him through the outside of the bend, off the road and onto a grass verge.
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Fortunately, Martin was able to keep himself upright and limit his losses as best he could. The Garmin-Sharp rider is likely to be a pillar of a two-pronged general classification strategy for his team at this race, sharing leadership with the Canadian Ryder Hesjedal.
Roche, who by his own admission has had a quiet 2013 season thus far, set a time of 10:16 for 44thplace on the day. Tenth on the general classification at this race last year, Roche this year rides in support of Amstel Gold winner Roman Kreuziger. The Irish Saxo-Tinkoff rider is expected to be a key lieutenant of Alberto Contador at the Tour de France, and having raced sparsely in recent months he will need to build his condition over the coming week in Switzerland.
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In contrast to the hilly prologues that have populated recent Tours de Suisse, today’s route was essentially flat and as such it favoured the strongmen.
The early starters benefited from benevolent wind conditions, and Australian Cameron Meyer (Orica-Green Edge) reaped most reward as he glided to stage victory in a time of 9:39. Second and third places on the podium were filled by Niki Terpstra (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) and Heinrich Haussler (IAM Cycling); ten and fourteen seconds behind Meyer respectively.
The Slovak prodigy Peter Sagan bested home-favourite Fabian Cancellara in the opening time-trial last year, and the Swiss was today in the back end of the field facing a less favourable breeze than the earlier starters.
Five times a winner on the opening day of this race, Cancellara was unable to add to his palmares on this occasion, finishing in 16th place, some 22 seconds behind winner Meyer. The Radioshack-Leopard powerhouse will not ride the Tour de France this year, with his home race representing a key bloc k of his preparation for the World Championships in Tuscany at the end of September.
Defending champion Rui Alberto Costa (Movistar), impressive in triumph in 2012, returned a time of 10:19 today, good enough for 53rd place. He will hope to make his mark as the race enters the mountains, starting with tomorrow’s 163-kilometre stage which finishes atop the first-category Crans-Montana climb. Ireland’s Roche and Martin, climbing specialists alike, will similarly hope to flourish in the high terrain.
