Dan Martin underlined his precocious talent by taking the biggest win of his fledgling career with a competent and matured display in the week-long Volta A Catalunya yesterday.

Dan Martin has become only the second Irishman to win the Volta a Catalunya after holding off the challenge of Joaquim Rodríguez in the final stage to win by 17 seconds.

Ireland’s Dan Martin retained the race lead on yesterday’s fifth stage of the Volta A Catalunya, finishing ninth on the run from Rialp to Lleida and extending his lead over his closest challenger to 14 seconds.

Ireland’s Daniel Martin extended his overall lead of the Volta a Catalunya to 14 seconds following the fifth stage.

Ireland’s Dan Martin recorded one of the biggest achievements of his career yesterday by taking the queen stage of the Volta A Catalunya and also taking over the race leader’s yellow jersey.

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) have joined the International Cycling Union (UCI) in appealing against the acquittal of three-time Tour de France winner Alberto Contador following a positive test for a banned substance.

THE saga over Alberto Contador’s positive test for clenbuterol is set to rumble on after the International Cycling Union (UCI) yesterday confirmed they would take the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).