Tour of Catalunya: Victory for Dan Martin

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East Midlands rider Dan Martin, now living in Girona (Spain), won the Tour of Catalunya after a masterful display of racing during the week long race

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The race’s final stage took the riders on a 122km route starting in El Vendrell and ending with eight laps of a circuit around the Olympic Park, taking in a climb of Alt de Montjuic each time. Ten riders made an early breakaway and opened up a gap of over 3:30, but they were swiftly reeled in as the race entered the Catalan capital.

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Martin celebrates his greatest victory so far in a young career. Photo: http://www.voltacatalunya.cat

A new break formed when De Gendt, Tim Wellens (Lotto-Belisol) and Team Sky’s López gapped the main bunch, and they were later joined by Kiserlovski (RadioShack-Leopard) and Scarponi, who started the day fifth overall.

López attacked on the final climb of the Montjuic and looked to have established a decisive gap but was caught by his fellow escapees with a tantalising 600m to go. That set up a sprint to the line, which De Gendt won comfortably after López had launched his bid for the line first.

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A big win for Thomas de Gendt who has been such a hero in the Tour of Britain over the years. Photo: http://www.voltacatalunya.cat

Back down the road, Katusha’s Rodriguez had waited until the last ascent of the Montjuic to attack Dan Martin, but although his attack was decisive, the climb was not difficult enough for him to put Martin in difficulty and the former British Junior RR Champion was able to follow the Spanish rider.

“Winning here in Catalunya is very special, it’s my home” explained Martin to the press. “This is my most special victory ever and I think I’m going stronger than ever before. The key to the win has been Ryder Hesjedal for his hard work in the break to Port Aine and the fact the whole team has done a lot of great work on each stage.”

“We’ve had to defend ourselves from a lot of different attacks. Right up until the last lap, we had to suffer and Rodriguez made several really difficult moves” Martin added. His next objective, aside from celebrating the victory this week, will be the Ardennes Classics where he says he wants to make the most of his good form.

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Martin & Rodriguez, rivals on the road but all smiles before the racing starts. PhotoSport International. uk usa asia.

Fifth for Wiggins
While Martin showed yet again that British born riders were on the rise in the pro peloton, the Tour de France Champion Bradley Wiggins finished fifth overall at the Volta a Catalunya. His teammate David López was second place on the final stage into Barcelona.

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Dan makes the day for some Irish supporters.  PhotoSport International. uk usa asia.

2013_Catalonia_1stDan_Martin_2nd_Rodriguez_3rd_Scarponi_Pod_tgPhSptFinal Podium

L-R: 2nd Rodriguez, 1st Dan Martin & 3rd Scarponi. PhotoSport International. uk usa asia.

STAGE 7
1 DE GENDT Thomas Vacansoleil – DCM 02:45:42
2 LOPEZ GARCIA David Sky Procycling @ st
3 KISERLOVSKI Robert RadioShack – Leopard @ st
4 SCARPONI Michele Lampre – Merida @ st
5 DUMOULIN Samuel AG2R La Mondiale 00:21
6 SIMON Julien Sojasun @ st
7 MORI Manuele Lampre – Merida @ st
8 MEYER Travis Orica GreenEDGE @ st
9 BRAMBILLA Gianluca Omega Pharma – Quick-Step @ st
10 FUGLSANG Jakob Astana Pro Team @ st

13 ROCHE Nicolas Team Saxo-Tinkoff @ st
25 WIGGINS Bradley Sky Procycling @ st
42 MARTIN Daniel Garmin – Sharp @ st
63 EDMONDSON Joshua Sky Procycling @ st

DNF CUMMINGS Stephen BMC Racing Team –
DNF FENN Andrew Omega Pharma – Quick-Step –
DNF KENNAUGH Peter Sky Procycling –

OVERALL
1 MARTIN Daniel Garmin – Sharp 29:02:25
2 RODRIGUEZ OLIVER Joaquim Katusha Team 00:17
3 SCARPONI Michele Lampre – Merida 00:34
4 QUINTANA ROJAS Nairo Alexander Movistar Team 00:45
5 WIGGINS Bradley Sky Procycling 00:54
6 GESINK Robert Blanco Pro Cycling Team 01:07
7 NIEMIEC Przemyslaw Lampre – Merida 01:18
8 PINOT Thibaut Equipe Cycliste FDJ 01:26
9 VAN DEN BROECK Jurgen Lotto Belisol Team 01:28
10 DANIELSON Thomas Garmin – Sharp 01:41
11 FUGLSANG Jakob Astana Pro Team 01:58
12 MORABITO Steve BMC Racing Team 02:09
13 NIEVE ITURALDE Mikel Euskaltel – Euskadi 02:42
14 SILIN Egor Astana Pro Team 02:51
15 ANTON HERNANDEZ Igor Euskaltel – Euskadi 02:52
16 NAVARRO GARCIA Daniel Cofidis Solutions Crédits ,,
17 MACHADO Tiago RadioShack – Leopard 03:01
18 WURF Cameron Cannondale Pro Cycling Team 03:20
19 MORENO FERNANDéZ Daniel Katusha Team 03:24
20 CARUSO Giampaolo Katusha Team 03:26
47 ROCHE Nicolas Team Saxo-Tinkoff 19:00
74 EDMONDSON Joshua Sky Procycling 35:10:00

 

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