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Last Updated: 2 Apr 2018 - 8:45:17 PM |
MARTIN FINISHES FOURTH OVERALL IN VOLTA A CATALUNYA
By Shane Stokes
25 Mar 2012,
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After placing second overall in 2009 and again last year, Dan Martin had to be satisfied with fourth overall in the Volta a Catalunya in Spain, which finished today.
The Irish Garmin Barracuda rider placed twelfth on the final stage in Barcelona, crossing the line in a group led home by Frenchman Julien Simon (Saur Sojasun).
This bunch also included the overnight race leader Michael Albasini (GreenEdge), who started the day one minute 30 clear of Olympic champion Samuel Sanchez (Euskaltel Euskadi) and a further two seconds ahead of a large number of riders, Martin included.
The Irishman’s aim of winning the race was foiled when the toughest mountain stage was shortened and effectively made easier due to bad weather. This prevented the strong climber from putting in a real challenge to Albasini, who isn’t as good in the high mountains.
Martin can still be pleased with how the race went, as it shows his form is good heading towards bigger objectives such as gaining selection for his first Tour de France
With Albasini unlikely to lose time on today’s route, Martin’s best hope of moving up the general classification was to try to finish high up in the final sprint. However a rush of riders after the final corner meant that he was badly placed for the gallop.
Volta a Catalunya, stage 6:
1, Samuel Sanchez (Euskaltel Euskadi)
2, Alan Davis (GreenEdge)
3, Julien Simon (Saur Sojasun)
4, Juan Jose Haedo (Saxo Bank)
5,, Damiano Cuengo (Lampre ISD)
6, Francesoc Gavazzi (Astana)
7, Fabio Sabatini (Liquigas Cannondale)
8, Dan Martin (Garmin Barracuda)
9, David Appollonio (Sky Procycling)
10, Jurgen Van den Broeck (Lotto Belisol)
Overall standings after stage 6:
1, Michael Albasini (GreenEdge)
2, Samuel Sanchez (Euskaltel Euskadi) at 1 min 30 secs
3, Jurgen Van den Broeck (Lotto Belisol) at 1 min 32 secs
4, Dan Martin (Garmin Barracuda)
5, Rigoberto Uran (Sky Procycling) both same time
Volta a Catalunya stage 7 Results: Badalona to Barcelona:
1, Julien Simon (Saur Sojasun) 119.8 kilometres in 2 hours 47 mins 2 secs
2, Francesco Gavazzi (Astana)
3, Damiano Cunego (Lampre ISD)
4, Rigoberto Uran (Sky Procycling)
5, Robert Kiserlovski (Astana) all same time
Irish:
12, Dan Martin (Garmin Barracuda) same time
Final general classification:
1, Michael Albasini (GreenEdge)
2, Samuel Sanchez (Euskaltel Euskadi) at 1 min 30 secs
3, Jurgen Van den Broeck (Lotto Belisol) at 1 min 32 secs
4, Dan Martin (Garmin Barracuda)
5, Rigoberto Uran (Sky Procycling) both same time
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