Dan Martin’s run of misfortune this season continued today at Liège-Bastogne-Liège when the UAE Team Emirates rider suffered a puncture at a crucial stage of the race.
THe 2013 winner was part of a select group with eight kilometres remaining, ahead of the Côte de Saint-Nicolas, when he punctured. It left the Irishman with little time to try and make it back to the group ahead of the finish and he came in 2’41” behind race winner Bob Jungels (Quick-Step Floors)
“I really had a good legs today and this was thanks to the work I’m doing and to the team,” said Martin. “We made a plan for this race from the start to the finish and we believed in our chances. We showed that we are an important team and we can race like one of the best teams in the world.
“At the end of the race, I had good feelings and I was ready to try to profit from the work of my team earlier on in the race. I tried to anticipate the others moves with a series of attacks because I felt that it was the decisive moment in the race, which it ended up being. I’ve punctured in the worst of moments and when I saw my front wheel was completely flat, I could not believe it. Now I hope to profit from my hard work at the Tour of Romandie.”
Luxemburger Jungels shot free with 20 kilometres to go and won the race solo ahead of Canadian Michael Woods (EF Education First) and Frenchman Romain Bardet (AG2R La Mondiale).
RACE RESULTS:
1 Bob Jungels (Quick-Step Floors) 6h24’44”
2 Michael Woods (Team EF Education First-Drapac p/b Cannondale) 37”
3 Romain Bardet (AG2R La Mondiale) 37”
18 Daniel Martin (UAE Team Emirates) 2’41”
