Dan Martin ‘had to follow the best guys’ as Alaphilippe loses yellow
Change of leadership for Quick-Step Floors at Paris-Nice as Dan Martin puts in a strong performance on the key climbing stage

Quick-Step Floors enjoyed mixed fortunes on stage seven of Paris-Nice, with Dan Martin finishing third on the stage, but home favourite Julian Alaphilippe losing the yellow jersey.
But it was nothing but celebration at the team bus after the stage, with the team looking pleased with their day’s work.
After his performance today, Martin moves into third above his younger team-mate, and said it was always the plan for him to stay with the leaders even if Alaphilippe faltered.
“When it kicked off on the last climb I had to follow the best guys,” Martin said after the stage.
“We knew we had David [de la Cruz] there to look after Julian. Today showed just how strong the team is.”
>>> Richie Porte wins Paris-Nice queen stage as Sergio Henao takes overall lead
Martin found himself distanced by a late counter-attack from Alberto Contador (Trek-Segafredo) and Sergio Henao (Team Sky), who set off in pursuit of eventual stage winner Richie Porte.
However, experience paid off for Martin as he paced the final kilometers perfectly, catching Henao with just a few hundred metres to go.
“Alberto and Sergio were really strong, but I knew I just had to do my own pace and get to the top as fast as I could.
“That strong final kilometers is sort of my speciality, and it really helped that I had Sergio to aim for.”
Martin eventually crossed the line in third place, 32 seconds behind stage winner Porte, but only 11 seconds behind Contador.
>>> Paris-Nice 2017: Latest news, reports and info
The slim margin to Contador means Martin leads the Spaniard by a single second going into Sunday’s final stage around Nice, and is 30 seconds off new yellow jersey Henao.
Still short of breath five minutes after crossing the line, and it was no surprise that Martin had his mind on recovery more than whether he could overhaul Henao’s overall lead and become the first Irishman to win Paris-Nice since Sean Kelly took the last of his seven wins in 1988.
“Today was so hard. Probably too hard for March! I’ll just have to see how I feel tomorrow.”
Thank you for reading 5 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Henry Robertshaw began his time at Cycling Weekly working with the tech team, writing reviews, buying guides and appearing in videos advising on how to dress for the seasons. He later moved over to the news team, where his work focused on the professional peloton as well as legislation and provision for cycling. He's since moved his career in a new direction, with a role at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
-
-
'I still can't believe it happened' — Alberto Dainese becomes first Italian winner at the 2022 Giro d'Italia
Team DSM sprinter charged to victory on stage 11
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Alberto Dainese sprints to victory on stage 11 of the Giro d'Italia
The Team DSM rider becomes the first Italian rider to win a stage at this year's Grand Tour in his home country
By Ryan Dabbs • Published
-
Paris-Sneeze: The tale of a Race to the Sun struck by illness
More than half of peloton abandoned the race over the course of eight days
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Fred Wright confident of soon taking maiden pro win after impressive start to 2022
The Londoner put in a stellar performance at Paris-Nice last week and now heads into his Classics campaign stronger than ever
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Five things we learned from Paris-Nice 2022
The Race to the Sun provided another thrilling edition that was dominated by Jumbo-Visma
By Stephen Puddicombe • Published
-
Simon Yates wins final stage eight as Primož Roglič seals Paris-Nice title
The Brit soloed to the finish, staving off the pursuit of Roglič and Wout van Aert
By Jonny Long • Published
-
Primož Roglič: Wout van Aert is 'half human, half motor'
Slovenian pays credit to Jumbo-Visma teammate after his efforts to help him win Paris-Nice
By Adam Becket • Published
-
'If you don't try then you never know': Simon Yates after final day win at Paris-Nice
BikeExchange-Jayco rider attacked on Col d'Èze to take stage eight and seal second overall
By Adam Becket • Published
-
'It's just fast all day': Ethan Hayter on his first WorldTour stage race
The British time trial champion helped his team leaders at Paris-Nice, but also impressed on the time trial
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Primož Roglič wins stage seven summit finish to solidify Paris-Nice lead
The Slovenian sprinted to victory after a GC battle up the Col de Turini
By Jonny Long • Published