Dan Martin was one of the strongest riders at the Tour of Beijing over the past five days but has been forced to settle for 2nd place on the conclusion of the event today.
By Brian Canty
Dan Martin has finished second overall at the Tour of Beijing, 10 seconds behind winner Benoit Intxausti (Movistar). David Lopez (Team Sky) was third a further three seconds back.
The five-day race concluded with a pan-flat 117 kilometre stage today, Tuesday, from Tiananmen Square to the Bird's Nest Piazza, which was won in a bunch sprint by emerging Slovenian fast man Luka Mezgec (Argos-Shimano).
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Mezgec beat off the challenge of Nacer Bouhanni (FDJ.fr) and Moreno Hofland (Belkin).
Martin rolled home in 33rd place, safely in the main bunch and preserved his runner's up position - his highest ever final GC position in the three-year old race. In 2012, he finished fourth overall, while also taking the Mountains Classification jersey.
The Garmin-SHARP rider is clearly enjoying a very good end of season run and will now look to his final race of the season this weekend, the Japan Cup.
The Irishman won the event back in 2010.
Matt Brammeier was the only other Irish rider in Beijing, the Champions Systems rider finishing 81st overall, over 15 minutes down.
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