Dan Martin (Etixx-Quick Step) has gotten his season off to a great start by taking victory today in the second stage of Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana (UCI 2.1).
The Irishman attacked in the last kilometre of the stage from Castellon to Fredes and held on to win by two seconds from Jesús Herrada (Movistar Team) and race leader Wout Poels (Team Sky).
Jose Herrada (Movistar) had gone clear earlier on the final climb and was still on his own going under the flamme rouge. However, his lead was reduced by Pieter Weening (Roompot) and the peloton being led by Team Sky’s Mikel Nieve.
Dani Moreno (Cofidis) and Martin closed the gap to Herrada, and Martin then jumped clear with nobody able to hang on to his wheel as he maintained his gap to the line.
Poels retains the overall lead and the race continues tomorrow with a 173.5 kilometre stage from Sagunto to Alzira.
Results Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana Stage Two – Castellon-Fredes (163.3km)
1. Dan Martin (Ire) Etixx-Quick Step, 4-10-06
2. Jesus Herrada (Esp) Movistar, at 2s
3. Wout Poels (Ned) Team Sky, st
4. Beñat Intxausti (Esp) Team Sky, st
5. Tom-Jelte Slagter (Ned) Cannondale, st
6. Ion Izagirre (Esp) Movistar, st
7. Luis Leon Sanchez (Esp) Astana, st
8. Eduard Prades (Esp) Caja Rural-Seguros RGA, st
9. Dayer Quintana (Col) Movistar, st
10. Davide Formolo (Ita) Cannondale, st
@DanMartin86 great result and a fantastic start to your year.
Top marks Dan !
awesome 😀
@RiksRedGuard love to see him avoid crashes and win a big one!
Dan’s attack was timed to perfection. What a star.