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.