Dan Martin picks himself up after hitting the deck just as the serious climbing was starting in Flèche Wallonne (Photo: Sirotti)
Having edged nearer to victory at the Flèche Wallonne monument over the last three years and going very close with 2nd place 12 months ago, there was to be no seamless progression to victory for Dan Martin yesterday.
Instead, the Irish international riding for Cannondale-Garmin crashed and was forced to chase hard to get back on.
And while he would make the juncture with what remained of the peloton after his spill, Martin had used his bullets and his race was to end prematurely shortly after.
He came down just before the race reached the first of three passages of the Mur de Huy.
And while he rode a good climb the first time around, by the time the race reached the second passage Martin was out of contention.
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He had finished 6th three years ago, 4th in 2013 and 2nd last year.
He spoke before yesterday’s race about being ready for it and having focussed in training for a long time on trying to win it.
Movistar's Alejandro Valverde comes home just ahead of Julian Alaphilippe from Etixx-Quick-Step and Michael Albasini of Orica GreenEdge (Photo: Sirotti)
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Team Sky boasted two Irishmen in its team for the 205km classic; Nicolas Roche and Philip Deignan.
They spent their day performing team duties though big hitter Chris Froome was the victim of one of the many crashes that marred the race, coming down with 12km remaining.
Sergio Henao was Team Sky’s best placed finisher, finishing in 7th place.
Roche was next man home in 27th place, some 23 seconds behind convincing winner Alejandro Valverde, who beat Martin to the win last year.
The Spanish Movistar man came home this time around ahead of Julian Alaphilippe (Etixx-Quick-Step) and Michael Albasini (Orica GreenEdge).
The contest was settled in a drag race up the brutally steep Mur de Huy, with Valverde hitting for home with around 150 metres remaining and dancing away from the opposition.
Like compatriot Dan Martin, Philip Deignan was also listed as a non finisher.
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