News | Volta a Catalunya • March 27, 2019
Martin 3rd in Vallter 2000 summit finish
The Irish cyclist jumps up to 4th overall in Cataluyna
Daniel Martin was right in the mix of the action with the best climbers in the world when the Volta a Catalunya stage finished at Vallter 2000. He managed his energy and showed his tenacity over the 11.4km climb to the finish line, where Adam Yates (Mitchelton-Scott) won.
At 7.5km remaining, the group was down to 12 riders under Team Sky’s push. Its rider Egan Bernal attacked at 5.5km remaining. Nairo Quintana (Movistar Team) followed the Colombian immediately and was joined by Yates, and at 3.5km left, Miguel Angel López (Team Astana) and Martin.
Martin resisted after a couple of tries by the Colombians and tried to go long at 1000 metres out, and then drove through in the sprint, passed by Yates and Bernal.
“The pace on the final climb was high, we were going quickly up until the start of the climb, so the work of my team-mates was even more important. They kept me in great position,” Martin (photo) said. “I had good feelings, I tried to go at my pace and it allowed me to return to the front in the last kilometres. When I returned, I tired to play my cards in the sprint, keeping sure that I was at the front in the last two curves, above all in the last turn at 200 metres to the line. Unfortunately, this curve was a little narrower than I expected and I had to take the inside line, I had to slow down and this favoured Yates, and he had fresher legs. Third place is great. I would’ve preferred to win. I’ll try again tomorrow“.
Thomas De Gendt (Lotto-Soudal) remains in control of the race overall while Martin moved to fourth overall at 33 seconds. Tomorrow’s fourth stage starts in Llanars and ends in La Molina after 150.3 km. It’ll be difficult given the three category one climbs and the final hors catégorie climb.
Stage 3 results
1 Adam Yates (Gbr) Mitchelton-Scott 5h02’18”
2 Egan Bernal (Col) Team Sky s.t.
3 Daniel Martin (Irl) UAE Team Emirates s.t.
General classification after stage 3
1 Thomas De Gendt (Bel) Lotto-Soudal 13h28’29”
2 Adam Yates (Gbr) Mitchelton-Scott 27″
3 Egan Bernal (Col) Team Sky 30″
4 Daniel Martin (Irl) UAE Team Emirates 33″
