Dan Martin has become only the second Irish rider to win the Tour of Lombardy, after Sean Kelly.
Ireland’s Dan Martin has snatched a very difficult season from the jaws of frustration; taking victory in the last monument of the year at the Tour of Lombardy.
Martin played his cards perfectly today, pulling clear in a group of big favourites up the final climb inside the last 5km.
And when some attacks from that group came up short and the leaders stalled with around 500 metres remaining, Martin came from last man in the group and attacked his rivals.
He had judged his final effort to absolute perfection and established a gap of a couple of seconds before rounding the last bend and sprinting solo for the line.
A delighted Martin punch the air several times in victory; clearly the frustration of his near season-ending crash in the Giro d’Italia and his spill on the final corner when leading solo at Liège–Bastogne–Liège all being released in the final moments today.
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His victory today is his second monument win, after he won at Liege last year. And he also took 7th overall at the Vuelta last month.
He took the win today by just one second from Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) and Rui Costa (Lampre).
Martin's win today was the fourth time an Irish rider has won Lombardy, with Sean Kelly having taken three wins in the event during his career.
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Martin was 2nd to Valverde in La Flèche Wallonne back in April and his win at the Tour of Lombardy continues a very good run for him in that race. He was 8th in the 2009 edition, 2nd in 2011 and 4th last year.
He will now go to the Tour of Beijing, a race that features more climbing this year, as one of the main favourites. It starts next Friday, October 10th.
The only other Irish man in the race, Philip Deignan of Team Sky was on the attack earlier in the race.
More later.
Dan Martin on top of the podium flanked by runner up Alejandro Valverde and third placed Rui Costa.
Brief Result
1 Daniel Martin (Irl) Garmin Sharp 6:25:33
2 Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (Spa) Movistar Team 0:00:01
3 Rui Alberto Faria Da Costa (Por) Lampre-Merida
4 Tim Wellens (Bel) Lotto Belisol
5 Samuel Sanchez (Spa) BMC Racing Team
6 Michael Albasini (Swi) Orica Greenedge
7 Philippe Gilbert (Bel) BMC Racing Team
8 Joaquin Rodriguez Oliver (Spa) Team Katusha
9 Fabio Aru (Ita) Astana Pro Team
10 Rinaldo Nocentini (Ita) AG2R La Mondiale 0:00:14
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