Philip Deignan went on the attack on Monday's opening stage in the Basque country (Photo: Sirotti)
Having gone into the week-long Vuelta al Pais Vasco in Spain as one to watch after two wins already this season, Dan Martin showed his form is holding on Monday’s opening stage.
And Philip Deignan of Team Sky, who has had a quiet early season after a training accident last December, can also be pleased with his ride.
The Donegal man was off the front for a period in the final of what was a very testing up and down opening stage that saw the field split to pieces.
The day was won by Luis Leon Sanchez (Astana) who pulled clear late with Daniel Navarro (Cofidis); the duo flying down the final climb clear and just about holding off the fast-finishing lead group.
Advertisement
Just behind them, Simon Gerrans of Orica-GreenEdge took the sprint for 3rd place, with Etixx-QuickStep man Martin in 7th place.
His presence in that select group of 50 that finished in the same time as the leading pair after latching onto their rear wheels on the finish line is perhaps not surprising give his recent form.
" controls="controls" />
But Martin's sprinting in at the front of that group showed his fast finish – even on the flat – was still intact after the hilly 144km stage from Etxebarria to Markina-Xemein.
Related News
He was clearly keen to avoid any time losses on the general classification if gaps opened in the dash to the line, a clear indication he is counting himself in overall after his recent stage win and 3rd overall at the Volta Catalunya.
Deignan tried his hand off the front with three others some 20km from the finish.
The race-winning scenario was just about to unfold with the early breakaway having already been caught and lone leader Dario Cataldo (Astana) being pegged back.
However, Deignan and those he was with would be caught as would Alberto Contador (Tinkoff) and Nairo Quintana (Movistar) when they jumped just before the top of the final climb.
But it was Navarro who then made the key move, building a gap and soon being joined by Sanchez; the pair just about hanging on to the finish despite looking like they were about to be caught in the closing couple of kilometres.
While Martin finished in 7th, Deignan would lose contact and came home in 83rd some 5:07 down.
April 4th, stage 1: Etxebarria to Markina-Xemein (144km)
1 Luis Leon Sanchez (Spa) Astana Pro Team 3:54:21
2 Daniel Navarro (Spa) Cofidis, Solutions Credits
3 Simon Gerrans (Aus) Orica-GreenEdge
4 Fabio Felline (Ita) Trek-Segafredo
5 Simon Clarke (Aus) Cannondale Pro Cycling
6 Jan Bakelants (Bel) AG2R La Mondiale
7 Daniel Martin (Irl) Etixx - Quick-Step
8 Warren Barguil (Fra) Team Giant-Alpecin
9 Tony Gallopin (Fra) Lotto Soudal
10 Sergei Chernetski (Rus) Team Katusha all same time
86 Philip Deignan (Irl) Team Sky 5:07
Topics
