Dan Martin (UAE Team Emirates) has moved up to 9th in the General Classification of the Tour de France after finishing 2nd on stage 17 of the Tour de France.
The Irishman made his move with less than 12 kilometres to go of the 65-kilometre stage from Bagnères-de-Luchon to Saint-Lary-Soulan, pursuing the break. Martin and Nairo Quintana (Movistar Team) closed in on early breakaway riders including Rafal Majka (Bora-Hansgrohe), Alejandro Valverde (Movistar Team), Julian Alaphilippe (Quick Step Floors) and Tanel Kangert (Astana).
6.5 kilometres before the finish, Quintana rode away solo as Martin chased behind. The Colombian went on to take the win as Martin secured second place just 28” behind the stage winner.
Commenting on his finish, Martin said: “The last two or three days I have felt really good. It’s a really good sign. I planned to go earlier and that’s why we had Kristijan in the break. But it’s okay to say ‘attack early’, but there is so much wind on those early climbs so it wasn’t worth it.
“I had good legs and felt I could do a good last climb. I took advantage of the pace and they let me go and Nairo came with me, and then he attacked me and went so hard but I wanted to settle into my own tempo – it almost turned into a time trial to the top.
“I was trying to keep him at 10 or 15 seconds because at 500 metres I could usually close that gap, but at this altitude it was tough. He was the better guy on the day, but I was really proud of how the team and I rode today”.
With the result, Martin climbs up to ninth in the GC and sits 6:33” behind the leader, Geraint Thomas (Team Sky). After two hard days in the mountains, Stage 18 will give riders some respite, with just two category four climbs featuring on the 171km route from Trie-sur-Baïse to Pau. The sprinters will have an eye on this race, looking to climb the standings and get back into contention, but the peloton will have to manage the breakaway carefully to avoid any major upsets.
