Dan Martin (Quick Step Floors) added another podium place today at Liège–Bastogne–Liège following on from his second place at Flèche Wallonne on Wednesday. Once again, the Irishman was beaten to the top spot by Alejandro Valverde (Movistar).
Martin, a winner of cycling’s oldest Monument back in 2013, surged clear on the finishing climb at Ans but was caught by Valverde before the final left-hand bend. He managed to hold on to finish runner-up.
An early breakaway had gained a lead of nearly 13 minutes before the move was nullified in the last 10 kilometres. Other attacks soon followed, as several riders tried to get a gap on the elite group ahead of the run-in to Ans, at the end of the 258km-long race.
Davide Formolo (Cannondale-Drapac) put some daylight between him and the chasers after the famed Côte de Saint-Nicolas, but Martin attacked off the front and overtook him under the flamme rouge gantry, before eventually notching his seventh top-3 finish at a World Tour race, ahead of former world champion Michal Kwiatkowski (Team Sky).
“We had a young team here and the boys rode their heart out, giving everything and putting in an incredible display. On the final climb, which suited me, I bided my time and when I noticed Alejandro was a bit boxed in I attacked and rode full gas, but unfortunately he came back and it was another second place for me”, said Martin.
“I will return here in 2018 and try again to win, as I love Liège–Bastogne–Liège, it’s basically the race I watched on television since I can remember. I’m not sad after my second place, because I got beaten by the better rider. Instead, I am very satisfied with the fact the team showed once again how strong it is. Quick-Step Floors was a major player in the Spring Classics, we got many great victories and other good results, and I think we can look behind at our campaign with huge pride”, concluded the 30-year-old Irishman.
Still a legend !! His day will come , long season ahead plus 3 Grand Tours
Is he riding the three tours?
That was one long extremely tough race and just to be one of the front runners at the end is still a major achievement.
happens to me solo, chin up!