Nicolas Roche came within 10 metres of winning the fourth stage of the Vuelta A Espana yesterday but was foiled by a fast-finishing trio which denied him a place on the podium.

The race is only one stage old but already it’s a case of what might have been for Ireland’s big hope in the Giro d’Italia as Dan Martin crashed out of the race after just 15 minutes in last night’s opener in Belfast.

An incredible day of tactical racing has set the tone for the weekend

Mark Cavendish answered his critics with victory on stage 13 of the Tour de France to Saint-Amand-Montrond but Chris Froome saw more than a minute of his lead over Alberto Contador blown away by the crosswinds.