Dan Martin Tribute, Volta a Catalunya
Ireland’s Dan Martin (Garmin-Sharp) won the WorldTour Volta a Catalunya ahead of riders such as Joaquim Rodriguez and Bradley Wiggins after taking control of the race on Thursday by riding out of the 23 rider breakaway to win the race’s queen stage.
The Garmin-Sharp rider went into the last stage on Sunday defending a 17-second lead to Rodriguez and came under intense pressure when the Spaniard launched a desperate attack to drop him on the last climb. But Martin was able to follow and crossed the finish line alongside Rodriguez.
Dan Martin commented after the biggest win of his career.
“Winning here in Catalunya is very special, it is my home. The whole team has done a lot of great work on each stage.
“We have 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.”
The 26 year old Garmin-Sharp rider now seek to carry the physical and mental momentum the win generates into the Ardennes Classics, where victory in one of the three races will be a big goal.
