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Last Updated: Aug 10th, 2008 - 22:47:52 |
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| Irish Road Race Champion 2008 - Daniel Martin |
After the Tour of Denmark last week Daniel Martin took part his first series of professional Criteriums in the South West of France. The first race was on Monday, it was a new event in Lacq-Audejos, close to Pau, Robbie McEwen (Silence-Lotto) won that one.
Tuesday he was in Castillon-la-Bataille, between Bordeaux and Dordogne, for one of the most popular Criteriums in Europe. This one was very hot and hard because a step climb in each lap. Winner was Sylvain Chavanel (Cofidis). Dan Martin showed his national jersey in some breakaways and led the bunch behind some of the favourites like Romain Feillu (Agritubel), Philippe Gilbert (Française des jeux), Amaël Moinard (Cofidis)...
"It's a nice experience", Dan says. "I enjoyed riding these Criterium for ambiance. People are so keen on cycling that they can pay €14 [in Castillon-la-Batille, Ed.] to access to the circuit and see the show all the afternoon!" Dan Martin met some French fans and signed many autographs. He also received a very interesting gift to invite his friends for diners over the winter and some bottles of wine from the area!
Wednesday Dan met the An Post riders in Tarbes, his Irish team mates on the An Post national squad were going to ride (and to win) Tour des Pyrénées (2.2). His Pyrenean travel finished on Friday to prepare his next goal : 1.1 stages race Tour of Portugal (13-24 August).
IrishCycling.com would like to thank Pierre Carrey for the report and pictures.
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