Local knowledge pays dividends for Dan Martin in Tour de France queen stage
Andorra resident made hay while the rain fell, but questioned the tactics of some of his general classification rivals
Living just 20km from the finish line of the Tour de France’s ninth stage, Dan Martin (Etixx-Quick Step) knows the roads up to Andorra Arcalis pretty well.
Martin moved to the small Andorran town of La Massana after several years in Girona while riding for Cannondale and found himself taking in his normal training roads on Sunday’s stage.
Numerous attacks on the final climb while the hail lashed the roads saw Martin move up to third in the overall standings, although finishing behind the likes of Chris Froome (Team Sky) and Nairo Quintana (Movistar).
“I maybe got a bit carried away there at the end, making a few moves, but I’m really enjoying racing and that’s what this team has reminded me of. I’m an aggressive rider and they’d prefer me to go down fighting and throwing punches than just get dropped,” he said.
“I’ve got this confidence now that if I’m in the red everyone else is in the red as well, so I know I’m climbing well.”
Watch: Highlights of the Tour de France stage nine
Three top-five finishes in nine stages and a series of strong performances in the Pyrénées has put Martin right in the thick of the general classification battle.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
His best finish in three previous Tour de France starts is 33rd and the Irishman isn’t getting carried away with his fast start this year. But he explained that his attacks on the final climb weren't to try and distance Froome, but to make time on the likes of Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha) and Alejandro Valverde (Movistar), who dropped back.
"I was looking at making time on the guys who had been dropped. I think Richie Porte had the same idea.
"Nairo and Chris were playing cat and mouse, they’d chase us down and they’d just look at each other again. There’s a bit of strange tactics going on. I don’t know when Nairo is going to make a move because he hasn’t made one in a few days now."
Thank you for reading 20 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
Stuart Clarke is a News Associates trained journalist who has worked for the likes of the British Olympic Associate, British Rowing and the England and Wales Cricket Board, and of course Cycling Weekly. His work at Cycling Weekly has focused upon professional racing, following the World Tour races and its characters.
-
First images of Tadej Pogačar's rainbow jersey revealed - and he's set for white shorts
New kit from Pissei released ahead of Slovenian's first race as world champion at Saturday's Giro dell'Emilia
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
‘I am in love with Unbound Gravel’ - new documentary celebrates three unsung and behind-the-scenes heroes of race
Shimano's new documentary 'Unsung' shares the stories of three "behind-the-scenes" people who make Unbound Gravel happen each year: a sports photographer, a bike mechanic, and an event organizer.
By Kristin Jenny Published
-
Former pro Dan Martin nominated for prestigious book prize
Irishman’s autobiography Chased by Pandas is up for Sunday Times cycling book of the year
By Cycling Weekly Published
-
Mark Cavendish wants to continue for 'at least' two more years
Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl sprinter turns 37 this weekend
By Adam Becket Published
-
Fabio Jakobsen on aiming for the Tour de France, lawsuit against Groenewegen and supporting Cavendish
The Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl rider showed he is back to being one of the fastest sprinters around at the Vuelta a España
By Tim Bonville-Ginn Last updated
-
'I don’t want to end my time with the regret of not ever trying': Julian Alaphilippe wants to try and win Tour de France before retiring
The double world champion will focus on the Classics in 2022 but still has an eye on the French Grand Tour
By Tim Bonville-Ginn Published
-
Five things to look out for at Il Lombardia 2021
The final Monument of the season is here - don't miss these moments
By Stephen Puddicombe Published
-
Julian Alaphilippe and Remco Evenepoel share their thoughts ahead of Il Lombardia 2021
The two Deceuninck - Quick-Step riders come into the final Monument of the year as two of the main favourites
By Tim Bonville-Ginn Published
-
Julian Alaphilippe says losing the rainbow jersey would have been 'a certain form of relief'
The French star stormed to an amazing second world title in a row on the roads of Leuven
By Tim Bonville-Ginn Published
-
Sam Bennett makes return to Deceuninck - Quick-Step squad in Belgian one-day race
The Irish sprinter has fallen out with management, recently racing the European Championships without consulting with the team
By Alex Ballinger Published