Dan Martin put in another strong showing at the Volta a Catalunya, netting a fine fourth place on what was the toughest stage of the race.
The Irish professional attacked four kilometres from the top of yesterday’s summit finish of La Molina and while he was caught by the stage winner Tejay van Garderen (BMC Racing Team), had enough left in the tank to finish just off the podium in fourth.
Richie Porte (Sky) took second, three seconds behind van Garderen, while Alberto Contador (Tinkoff Saxo) was slightly ahead of Martin in the sprint for third.
Martin, who won the race overall in 2013, is now up to fourth overall. He is just one second off third place and will continue trying to move up before the race ends on Sunday.
In other news, the Irish team had a solid opening day at the UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships in Apeldoorn, Netherlands.
Each were riding the 1km time trial in their various categories. The tandem pairing of Katie-George Dunlevy and Eve McCrystal were eighth, Colin Lynch and Eoghan Clifford were ninth in their categories while the male tandem of Peter Ryan and Damien Shaw finished 12th.
Racing continues until Sunday. Meanwhile, two more teams have been announced for this year’s An Post Rás, which begins in just over seven weeks’ time in Dunboyne.
Irish talent
The British Continental-level squads NFTO and JLT Condor have been confirmed, and each will likely add greatly to the racing.
NFTO includes the top young Irish talent Eddie Dunbar, who impressed internationally and at home last year. He will likely be joined by Ian Bibby, who finished fourth overall in the 2014 An Post Rás, as well as former podium finisher Rob Partridge.
Also on the list of possible riders is the former Garmin-Sharp pro Steele Von Hoff, who showed his class earlier this year when he won a stage of the Santos Tour Down Under.
JTL Condor team manager John Herety has a long history with the race, having guided several of his riders to overall victory in the past.
The likely team line-up includes 2014 British National Under23 Road Race Champion Ed Laverack, 2014 Stafford GP winner Luke Grivell Mellor, strong climber Dante Carpenter, Joe Moses and young Irishman David McCarthy.
“The teams announced are all very strong,” says race director Tony Campbell, “and will help make the 2015 edition a really competitive and dramatic one.” Further international teams will be announced in the coming weeks.
