A Tour to cherish for gritty Irish duo

With the finish line in sight, Ireland’s Dan Martin (Garmin-SHARP) and Nicolas Roche (Ag2R la Mondiale) can look back on a job very well done.

Martin, making his debut in the race, has endured more than most, from the low of seeing his two team leaders crash out early on to the high of team-mate David Millar winning a stage.

The 26-year-old has illustrated just why he is a future Grand Tour contender with some thrilling attacks on the slopes of the Pyrenees — one that saw him get into a break with multiple stage winner Thomas Voeckler and Brice Feilliu on Stage 18 as well as the following day where he finished 10th.