Route du Sud: Martin eases to win
Eurosport - Sun, 22 Jun 20:31:00 2008
Slipstream's Irish cyclist Dan Martin has won the Route du Sud.
By coming 46th and safe in the bunch, Martin managed to defend the overall lead he earned at the end of Saturday's stage in the Pyrenees.
The fourth and final stage was the 180-kilometre Saint Gaudens to Castres leg, which Finnish rider Jussi Veikkanen (Francaise des Jeux) won.
Britain's Jeremy Hunt took eighth place on the stage, a performance which is expected to earn him the right to ride in Thor Hushovd's Crédit Agricole Tour de France team.
"My team did everything to make sure I kept the jersey today," Martin said afterwards. "There were some difficult roads and they kept me in position and made sure nothing dangerous got away.
"[But] it was actually a lot easier than I expected.
"Five out of the seven Slipstreams were still there at the finish and I think that says something about how straightforward it was."
STAGE THREE
Slipstream rider Dan Martin took control of the Route du Sud after an impressive performance in the third stage through the Pyrenees.
The 21-year-old from Birmingham - who switched allegiances to Ireland - finished third behind Przemyslaw Niemec (Miche) and Julien Loubet (Ag2r) but took the overall lead from Noan Lelange.
Martin was part of a group which left Lelange behind before attacking on the climb to finish at Superbagneres one minute and 42 seconds ahead of Christophe Moreau (Agritubel) in the overall standings - a gain of 58 seconds from the previous stage.
STAGE TWO:
Noan Lelarge of the Bretagne Armor Lux team caused a surprise by winning the second stage of the Route du Sud.
He finished ahead of Pole Przemyslaw Niemiec (Miche Silver Cross) and French favourite Christophe Moreau (Agritubel) on a 16.9km time trial from Pierrefitte Nestalas to Cauterets Cambasque.
The 21 year-old Dan Martin moved up to second place overall after an impressive top ten finish, and is now just 17 seconds behind Lelarge.
STAGE ONE:
Australian Simon Gerrans won the opening stage of the Route du Sud in Boulogne Sur Gesse.
It was a second win this year for the 28-year-old Credit Agricole rider after his victory in stage two of the Criterium International in April.
He beat Hubert Dupont (Ag2r) in a sprint finish at the end of the 206km trek from Lusignan Petit.
Race favourite Christophe Moreau was 12th, one minute and 41 seconds behind the winner, with 92 of the 110 finishers crossing the line over 37 minutes behind Gerrans.
A 17km time trial on Friday is followed by two more road stages over the weekend.
This site is Copyright © 2008 Yahoo! and Eurosport. All rights reserved.
- Terms of Service
- Updated Privacy Policy
- Copyright/IP Policy
- Remarks and Suggestions
- Corporate info
- Jobs at Eurosport
Notice: We collect personal information on this site. To learn more about how we use your information, see our Privacy Policy.
Comment 1 - 7 of 7
I was only joking!.. I know well he was born and rared in england, sure i've raced against him many a time.. Its a great victory for a good up and coming pro. He performed well at last years U23 worlds, and it was clear to see he's not afraid to hurt himself and give it a go... I'm sorry i caused all this arguing from my initial comment, but little did i know people would get so worked up about it! haha..
The facts are as follows; His father is Neil Martin a former british pro cyclist & his mother is Maria Roche sister of the famous Irish pro cyclist Stephen Roche. Daniel Martin carries an irish racing license and an irish passport. He was born and lived in the U.K. but for whatever reason he chose to to use his birth right and declare as an irish citizen. But either way he is a champion in the making and lets all enjoy what he has to offer the sport of cycling.
Sorry, where was the Irish team at the European Championships ?
Grow up.
No chip on shoulder - I have as much Irish blood in my veins as British and enjoy the greens winning as much as the whites but I do think people should get their facts straight prior to spouting off!, just setting the facts straight - simmer down!
ah,sound's like a typical,insecure,aggressive, bullish,british comment...will u guys ever learn..
(don't think so)that if someone makes a comment u don't have to go on the offensive (big chip on the shoulder)and fell as if uv'e something to prove to the world (the war is over.lol) ps: been watching the european championships and i seem to have missed out on some of the games.......where's the english team gone to.did'nt see them yet..when are they due to play ?
He is from Birmingham, he chose an Irish racing license, much like most of the Irish football team as he felt he wan't getting the focus off of British Cycling. He may represent Ireland but you can't change where he was born!!
Daniel Martin is Irish!!... He is not from Birmingham
Please login to post a comment
Not already a Yahoo! user ? Sign up to get a free Yahoo! Account