Following on from his victory on today’s stage of the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana, Dan Martin (Etixx – Quick Step) has outlined on the team’s website that he was feeling good from the start of the stage.
The 29-year-old Irish rider took the victory at the top of Alto de Fredes after attacking inside the final kilometre to win by two seconds from Jesús Herrada (Movistar Team) and race leader Wout Poels (Team Sky).
“As soon as I joined Etixx – Quick-Step, the welcome was incredible,” said Martin afterwards. “Also, the atmosphere is really good for my confidence. Even from the start of today’s stage I really believed I had a chance to win. I had the legs, I managed to score this victory and have that perfect start to the season.”
“With 3 kilometers to go, there was a flat section which was really fast. Many riders used it to come at the front, and at one moment I was bad positioned.”
“Then I moved up, Navarro attacked and when I looked up and saw we are entering the last kilometre, I decided to give it a go”, said Martin. “I sprinted three times, and in the last 250 meters, which were in a downhill, I already knew I had won.”
“The victory came also as a result of the excellent job of my team, with the guys being fantastic throughout the day.”
