
Today was set to be a big test for Dan Martin. The uphill 9.9km TT offers no hiding places. It reveal instantly reveal everyone's real condition.
Matt Teggart, Michael O'Loughlin in Team Wiggins action
Dan Martin was within striking distance of a top general classification result going into day’s hilly TT at the Tour de Romandie.
After putting in a strong, though ultimately unsuccessful, attack 10km from home on Wednesday’s stage 1, Martin finished in the reduced peloton yesterday.
The stage, from Delémont to Yverdon-les-Bains, was a relatively flat 173.9km. And while it looked like one for the sprinters, a breakaway succeeded.
Thomas De Gendt (Lotto-Soudal) claimed victory after escaping with team mate Victor Campenaerts and three others.
Also present were Nathan Brown (EF-Drapac), Andrey Grivko (Astana), and Matteo Fabbro (Katusha).
One by one De Gendt dropped the others after they had build a lead that maxed out at eight minutes.
And in the end he had 2:04 in hand over the 80-rider bunch. Sonny Colbrelli (Bahrain-Merida) won the bunch sprint for consecutive 2nd places.
Dan Martin, who has looked comfortable so far, was 21st. And going into today’s 10km uphill TT he was 21st overall.
He was some 18 seconds down on race leader Primoz Roglic (LottoNL-Jumbo).
Malucelli's finishing kick takes him to vitcory on France yesterday, Matt Teggart is on the extreme right.
However, there are some very good riders ahead of Martin, including the race leader.
Furthermore, Egan Bernal and Geraint Thomas of Team Sky, as well as last year’s race winner Richie Porte (BMC), are also in contention.
Today’s TT course would normally really suit Dan Martin and it will be interesting to see how he does.
Meanwhile, in France Michael O’Loughlin and Matt Teggart are in action for Team Wiggins.
Both Irish U23 road internationals are riding the Tour de Bretagne (UCI 2.2).
Wednesday’s opening stage from Châteaubriant to Louisfert ended in a bunch sprint after 159.8km.
It was won by Herman Dahl (Joker Icopal) from Commonwealth Games champion Steele Von Hoff (Bennelong-SwissWellness).
Teggart was a solid 14th on the day in the same time as the winner. O’Loughlin was 108th, also finishing in the bunch.
Yesterday on the second stage the fight for victory again came down to a sprint. It was won by Matteo Malucelli (Androni-Sidermec).
Teggart was 22nd and O’Loughlin, who is coming back from a bout of illness, was 73rd at nine seconds.
Matt Teggart was part of a 31-rider group sprint for victory. The race continues until next Tuesday.
