Dan Martin's late charge up Mur du Huy just falls short of Fléche Wallonne podium

Dan Martin (in black) blasted up the finishing climb today but fell just short of the podium at Fléche Wallonne

Dan Martin has come very close to his second career podium in a major classic, leaving his charge a little late up the closing Mur du Huy climb in Fléche Wallonne in Belgium today to take fourth.

The Garmin Sharp rider, who has explosive speed up steep climbs like the one that hosted today’s finish, was rapidly closing on the men ahead of him in the dying metres but could not overhaul any of the leading trio to get onto the podium.

He adds his fourth place today to his second in the Tour of Lombardy two years ago as his best two results in the big classics. Nicolas Roche (Saxo Tinkoff) was in the lead group when the riders hit the final climb today but started the ascent further back than Martin and came home in 37th place at 43 seconds.

Daniel Moreno (Katusha) took full advantage of being relieved in the finale of any duty to look after team leader Joaquim Rodriguez and grabbed a great victory.

Carlos Betancur (Ag2r) went for something of a long one up the final ascent to the finish line after 205km, with world champion Philippe Gilbert (BMC) showing his hand just a little too early in charging after him.

The Belgian closed the gap up to Betancur, only for Moreno to come from behind him inside the last 200 metres and make his winning charge to the line.

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He caught and passed Betancur, who was also overhauled by Sky’s Sergio Henao for second. Martin was rapidly closing down on the fading Betancur but to his credit the Colombian held him off and filled the last position on the podium with Martin forced to settle for fourth

In the end, Moreno was a pretty clear winner, taking the line some three seconds ahead of a group of four on the same time as each other.

Martin will perhaps be a little disappointed to let the race get away from him but has once again revealed he is in world class form, having clearly maintained his condition since his Volta a Catalunya victory last month.

He will start Sunday’s Liege-Bastogne-Liege as one of the big favourites and does not appear to be suffering any ill effects of a crash in Amstel Gold at the weekend, when he was a non-finisher.

Fléche Wallonne - 205km, Belgium (UCI - WorldTour)