Dan Martin coming desperately close to winning his first race of the season today, crossing the line in second place on the eighth stage of the Tour de France. It was a near-flawless display by the Irishman and his Garmin Cannondale team but Frenchman Alexis Vuillermox (Ag2r La Mondiale) proved too strong on the day.
By Brian Canty
Dan Martin has taken his best result since winning the Tour of Lombardy last year when he finished a superb second on today’s eighth stage of the Tour de France.
Alexis Vuillermoz claimed his first ever Grand Tour stage victory following an absolutely brilliant and well-timed attack, the Ag2r La Mondiale man springing clear off the front of the race inside the final kilometre and holding on ahead of a fast-finishing Martin.
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On paper, the 180-kilometre parcours was perfect for the Garmin Cannondale man as it featured a leg-snapping ramp that reached 11% and 293 metres up to the finish and Martin responded to the challenge better than all but one.
He could do no more than he did and it’s a result that betters his fourth place finish on stage three last Monday and will give him plenty confidence for the remaining two weeks.
It was an excellent display too from his entire team who did some huge turns on the front in the latter half of the race in an effort to reel in the three-man break and position Martin as well as possible for as long as possible.
Crossing the line, Martin hammered his handlebars in frustration and later explained how he was boxed-in before he attacked, preventing him from launching himself earlier.
“I was on the wrong side of the group," he said afterwards.
"I saw the AG2R guy (Vuillermoz) go but I just couldn't get out.
“When I did it was too late and I'm really disappointed because the guys rode so well and they kept me out of trouble, relaxed, and they believed in me.
"Everyone was stuck on the right hand barrier, I was on the right hand barrier and there was no where to go.
"We'll try again."
Team Sky's Chris Froome retained the race leader's yellow jersey and was very active in the final, staying right towards the head of affairs throughout, or fairly close to the sharp end of things.
Peter Sagan (Tinkoff-Saxo) and Tejay van Garderen (BMC) were also in the group, ensuring they stay second and third overall.
Alberto Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo) was also there and continues in seventh place, 36 seconds down.
The biggest loser amongst the favourites was Vincenzo Nibali (Astana), however, who looked well off the pace in the final and fell out of the group on the final climb.
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Nicolas Roche did some tremendous riding in the wind in service of Froome today also and he lost just short of eight minutes.
The group he crossed the line in also contained Tour debutant Sam Bennett.
One man who conceded more time in the battle for GC was Martin's American teammate, Andrew Talansky.
Though it was only 20 seconds it's enough to suggest he won't be in a position to better his top 10 finish from two years ago and that could work in Martin's favour in terms of chasing stage wins.
Tomorrow's stage is another that suits the Irishman but it's the lumpy team time-trial where they'd be one of the strong favourites.
However, they can expect strong challenges from BMC, Team Sky and Orica GreenEdge.
Stage 8: Rennes - Mur de Bretagne (181.5km)
1 Alexis Vuillermoz (Fra) Ag2r-La Mondiale 04:20:55
2 Daniel Martin (Irl) Cannondale-Garmin Pro Cycling Team 00:00:05
3 Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Movistar Team 00:00:10
4 Peter Sagan (Svk) Tinkoff-Saxo
5 Tony Gallopin (Fra) Lotto Soudal
6 Greg Van Avermaet (Bel) BMC Racing Team
7 Adam Yates (GBr) Orica GreenEdge
8 Christopher Froome (GBr) Team Sky
9 Bauke Mollema (Ned) Trek Factory Racing
10 Tejay Van Garderen (USA) BMC Racing Team
139 Nicolas Roche (IRL) Team Sky @7:58
158 Sam Bennett (IRL) Bora Argon 18@s/t
General Classification
1 Christopher Froome (GBr) Team Sky 31:01:56
2 Peter Sagan (Svk) Tinkoff-Saxo 00:00:11
3 Tejay Van Garderen (USA) BMC Racing Team 00:00:13
4 Tony Gallopin (Fra) Lotto Soudal 00:00:26
5 Greg Van Avermaet (Bel) BMC Racing Team 00:00:26
6 Rigoberto Uran (Col) Etixx - Quick-Step 00:00:34
7 Alberto Contador (Spa) Tinkoff-Saxo 00:00:36
8 Warren Barguil (Fra) Team Giant-Alpecin 00:01:07
9 Zdenek Stybar (Cze) Etixx - Quick-Step 00:01:15
10 Bauke Mollema (Ned) Trek Factory Racing 00:01:15
31 Dan Martin (IRL) Garmin Cannondale @7:53
85 Nicolas Roche (IRL) Team Sky @25:25
178 Sam Bennett (IRL) Bora Argon 18@56:28
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