Martin on the podium

Neil Martin, 1984 Olympian, former road race champion, ex-pro and father of Daniel Martin has been winning prizes in his adopted town of Girona in Catalunya, Spain. Martin took part in various events during the town’s inaugural Bike Festival last week and proved that there was plenty of life in the (not that) old dog yet.

The Festival, which comprised a series of rides and races based in the popular cycling haunt of Girona, saw hundreds of riders from 14 countries take part and organiser Dave Welch, is already planning next year.

He’d be slightly embarrassed to admit it, but Martin senior posted the fastest time recorded around the hilly 125km Gran Fondo Girona.

Additionally, the still-fit Martin was second in the hill climb time trial up the famous 11km Els Angels climb too. A story that organiser Welch was planning to take riders up the Rocacorba climb next year were mere rumours.

If you fancy getting your name down for 2015, keep www.gironacyclecentre.com bookmarked in your browser.