CYCLING/TOUR OF CATALUNYA: Attacking on the finishing climb to the Vallnord Sector Pal in Andorra, Irish road race champion Daniel Martin caused serious panic for race leader Alejandro Valverde on yesterday's fourth stage of the Tour of Catalonia, writes Shane Stokes.
The 22-year-old second-year pro jumped clear with about six kilometres to go and almost caught lone leader Julian Sanchez, who had initially a minute’s lead.
Martin’s pace saw him close to within six seconds of the Spaniard, netting second place. Equally importantly, his jump had put Valverde in trouble and initially saw him gain 25 seconds on his rival, making him virtual race leader on the road.
The Spaniard recovered and, with the help of team-mate Xavier Zandio, managed to finish third, two seconds behind the Irish climber. “It all caught me a bit by surprise,” Valverde said. “I knew Martin was strong but not that strong.”
Martin, a member of the Bike Pure anti-doping movement, had finished third on Wednesday’s mountain stage to La Pobla de Lillet and, in taking second yesterday, moved from sixth to an excellent second overall. He starts today’s lumpy, 201.3 kilometres from La Seu d’Urgell to Torredembarra 15 seconds behind his rival and, while he knows it will be hard to get that time back before the finish on Sunday, said he would give it his all.
Nicolas Roche was a solid 21st on the stage and is 17th overall.
GIRO D'ITALIA:Russia's Denis Menchov blew away the field in yesterday's individual time-trial to take the 12th stage and wrestle the leader's pink jersey from Italian Danilo Di Luca.
Rabobank rider Menchov, twice Tour of Spain winner, completed a gruelling 60.6-km up-and-down course in the Cinque Terre region on Italy’s northeast coast in one hour 34 minutes and 29 seconds.
LPR’s Di Luca, who had worn the pink jersey for seven stages, came in 1:54 behind in sixth place.
The 2007 winner, who is not a time trial specialist, was not disappointed as he limited the damage in the overall standings to 34 seconds after what was widely considered a crucial stage.
“Menchov was very strong. I defended myself well. I’m very happy,” Di Luca said. “It was really hard. It never ended. I started well. On the second climb I struggled a bit but I’m satisfied.
Philip Deignan finished a solid 35th in the test, conceding five minutes and 41 seconds to Menchov. He had been having knee problems following his crash early in the race but is hoping to ride strongly in the second half.
