Dan Martin (Quickstep), 3rd on stage 7 is now second overall in Paris Nice
News: Dan Martin now 2nd on GC at Paris-Nice
Quickstep Press Release
Dan Martin (Quickstep), 3rd on stage 7 is now second overall in Paris Nice
Race leader Julian Alaphilippe (Quickstep) put in a valiant effort on Col de Couillole and as a result leads the Points and Young rider rankings going into the final day.
Meanwhile, a tremendous Dan Martin climbed with the best on the penultimate stage of the prestigious Paris-Nice and finished third, grabbing valuable bonifications at the top of Col de la Couillole – the event’s highest ever summit finish (1678 meters) – and moving up to the podium of the race, half a minute behind new race leader Sergio Henao (Team Sky).
Part of a reduced elite group with around four kilometers left, Dan lost contact with his opponents after eventual stage winner Richie Porte (BMC) surged on the steep section of Col de la Couillolle – a 15km-long ascent with varying gradients – but continued to climb in his own rhythm and thanks to this brilliant ride managed to close the gap on Henao, before pipping the Colombian on the line and taking his first World Tour podium of the year.
.. continued after advert
One of the protected Quick-Step Floors riders during Saturday’s stage which had a big impact on the general classification, Dan proved how mentally strong he is, as he went in pursuit of the riders up the road in the closing kilometers of stage seven, erased a 15-second deficit and came within touching distance of former race winner Alberto Contador (Trek-Segafredo), who finished runner-up on the day.
Dan Martin: “I am super happy with my performance, though it comes a bit as a surprise. I was a little sick after racing in Portugal and couldn’t do the work in training that I wanted to, but before that, the winter was perfect.
It’s the first time that I try to ride for the GC at Paris-Nice and for now it’s going well, but I know a lot can change tomorrow. The fight isn’t over and now I need to recover for Sunday. We are still in the fight to win Paris-Nice and after so many hard days I’m not going to stop trying now, so I’m quite optimistic for tomorrow”, said Dan Martin, now second in the overall standings.
Julian Alaphilippe
At the top of the overall standings since the end of stage four, which saw him score an emphatic victory in the race’s sole individual time trial on the punishing slopes of Mont-Brouilly, Julian Alaphilippe suffered on the long climb and was dropped with ten kilometers to go, due to an injection of pace at the head of the bunch.
The Frenchman didn’t give up, and helped by a hard-working and selfless David De La Cruz, showed his determination and panache, as he tried to reduce the damage in order to keep his options open for the eighth and final stage of Paris-Nice.
“Can’t say I am disappointed, because it was a very tough climb and I was aware of that before the start of the stage. I want to say a huge thanks to all my teammates, who once again did a great job throughout the day. They were unbelievable, I’m proud of them and can’t be sad after losing the yellow jersey. I did my best, it was a beautiful week so far and it isn’t over yet.
It was great to see so many fans cheered for me, as their support and my stint in yellow made this experience a fantastic one”, explained Julian, who holds the green and white jersey one day before the race comes to a conclusion in Nice.
Dan Martin echoed his teammate’s thoughts and praised the work of the Quick-Step Floors squad on the queen-stage of the “Race to the Sun”: “It’s really a bittersweet moment for me today. I knew there was a possibility Julian would suffer on the long climb, but I really believed he could keep the jersey. In the end I followed the best guys and could just sit in the wheels. The team has been fantastic this week. It’s hard to protect one leader and they did an amazing job for both of us. This incredible team spirit makes Quick-Step Floors so special.”
Send your results as well as club, team & event news here
Other Results on VeloUK (including reports containing results)
- Features, Reports, Results
- Former Winners: Lincoln Grand Prix
- Chris Lawless Joins Saint Piran Team
- Youth Result: Milton Keynes Youth Development Races
- TT Result: Southern Counties CU Sporting 21
- TT Result: Manchester & District TTA 10m TT
- TT Result: Northampton & District CA 10m TT
- TT Result: Knockhill Mountain Time Trial
- Youth Result: Lawford Youth Series
- TT Result: Bristol South CC Hardriders
- TT Result: Newmarket Cycling & Triathlon Club TT
- Paracycling Track Worlds Day 4
- Para CyclingWorlds Final Day
- Startlist: National Youth Circuit Series Rd 1
- TT Result: Orwell Velo 15m TT
- TT Result: Hull Thursday RC Hard Riders 2Up
- TT Result: VC Sevale 10m TT
- TT Result: Maldon & District CC Hilly 22m TT
- Youth Result: SCC Youth Races
- Youth Result: ERC Ben Forsyth CRY Youth Race Day
- Report/Result: Azets Spring Classic
- Track Result: Manchester Regional Track League
- Startlists: RCR Fat Creations Road Races
- Crit Result: Not the Portsmouth Easter Circuits
- Crit Result: March Hare Classic
- Crit Result: Haus RT – Darley Moor #3
- Crit Results: Spring MK Bowl Series #3
- Crit Result: No Nonsense Circuit Races 1
- Crit Result: Salt Ayre Spring Series #3
- RR Result: NCRA Handicap RR #3
- RR Result: Halesowen Academy Road Race
- RR Result: Primavera Pursuit Road Race
- Startlist: Capernwray Road Race (March 31)
- TT Result: VTTA Kent 8 mile TT
- TT Result: Kernow Racing Team TT
- TT Result: Banbury Star CC 21m TT
- TT Result: Velo Club St Raphael 16.5 TT
- TT Result: Port Talbot Whs 13m TT
- TT Result: Cleveland Whs Sporting 21.7m TT
- TT Result: Velotik RT 15m TT
- TT Result: Border City Whs Hilly 20.2m TT
Other News on VeloUK
- Former Winners: Lincoln Grand Prix
- Chris Lawless Joins Saint Piran Team
- Paracycling Track Worlds Day 4
- Para CyclingWorlds Final Day
- Startlist: National Youth Circuit Series Rd 1
- Report/Result: Azets Spring Classic
- Startlists: RCR Fat Creations Road Races
- Startlist: Capernwray Road Race (March 31)
- Team Report: Fensham Howes MAS Design Junior Team
- Team Report: CiCLE Classic Junior Men
- RIDER REPORTS – Zoe Parker (Solihull CC)
- GB News: Two World Titles for GB at Para Worlds
- Team News: Alba Development Road Team
- News: British Road Champs Return to NE
- THIS WEEKEND: Peaks Two Day is Back!
- News: Laura Kenny Retires
- Team News: Lee Valley Youth Cycling Team
- 2024/25 CYCLO-CROSS CALENDAR
- Startlist: Cardiff Ajax CC 10 Mile TT
- Startlists: 16th Gifford Road Races (Scotland)
- News: Ellingworth is new Tour of Britain Director
- Startlist: Circuit of Ingleborough TT
- STARTLIST: Evesham Vale Road Race 2024
- Mammoth fields for Women’s/Junior Men’s CiCLE Classics
- Saturday: Fusion Media Women’s Series Rd 1
- Saint Piran’s Global Women’s Project
- Ribble Rebellion: The Riders
- Team News: Ribble Rebellion Team Launch
- British Classics – 64th Wally Gimber Trophy
- Startlist: 62nd Eddie Soens
- Startlist: 10th Junior Men’s CiCLE Classic (March 17)
- Startlist: 8th Women’s CiCLE Classic (March 17)
- Startlist: 40th Jock Wadley Memorial RR
- Riders: Azets Spring Classic (March 24)
- Bike News: DJ Spoony’s Special & unique Ribble Ultra SL R
- GB Team News: Helen Scott now Men’s Sprint Podium Potential Coach
- Startlist: Royal Navy Cup 2024
- News: Halesowen Academy 2024
- Report: Day 3 British Track Championships
- New Women’s Series in the Midlands