Nicolas Roche just behind BMC Racing team mate Michael Schar before the fireworks went off on a tough day in Spain.
With their teams having performed very well in the team test that opened Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana, Nicolas Roche, Philip Deignan and Dan Martin are all nicely placed overall after today’s first road stage.
The rain and climbs on the 178km stage from Alicante to Denia meant the race broke up on the run-in, with world TT champion Tony Martin taking an unexpected solo victory.
The German, now riding for Katusha-Alpecin, joined a late breakaway after the main escape of the stage was caught.
The group Martin was in struck out just before a late climb and Martin dropped those that remained by the top of the climb when he rocketed down the descent.
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He claimed victory from Pim Ligthart (Roompot-Nederlandse Loterij) by 11 seconds, with Primoz Roglic (Lotto NL-Jumbo) 3rd on the same time.
Roche’s BMC team mate Greg Van Avermaet won the sprint for 8th place some 19 seconds after Martin won solo.
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And because BMC won the TTT yesterday, Van Avermaet now assumes the yellow jersey from his team mate Manuel Senni who held the jersey today because he lead BMC over the finish line yesterday.
Today, Van Avermaet was at the head of a 30-strong group behind the breakaway that also contained Dan Martin (QuickStep).
The Irishman, who is riding his first race of the season, came home in 33rd place he is now well within striking distance overall; placed 9th overall at 49 seconds.
He lost his time to race leader Van Avermaet on yesterday’s TTT with Martin’s QuickStep as 3rd behind BMC and runners-up Team Sky.
But best of the Irish overall is Nicolas Roche. He was part of that winning TTT BMC line-up and though he lost some time today he is 5th overall some 37 seconds behind team mate Van Avermaet.
Philip Deignan who, like both Roche and Martin, is riding his first race of the year is also well placed by virtue of the TTT. The Donegal man is 13th, some 58 seconds down overall.
Deignan and Roche finished together today – 55th and 56th – in a group 56 seconds down on solo winner Tony Martin and 37 seconds on the group containing most of the main favourites.
The race continues until Sunday when it concludes with a summit finish that should suit the Irish riders.
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