Martin finishes ninth

Ireland’s Dan Martin moved into a podium position when he finished a brilliant ninth place on the longest stage of this year’s Tour of Catalunya yesterday.

The Garmin Barracuda rider is now third overall, one minute and 32 seconds behind race leader Michael Albasini (GreenEdge) and level on time with Jurgen Van Den Broeck (BeLotto Belisol).

Frenchman Julien Simon (Saur - Sojasun) won yesterday’s stage.

Today’s penultimate leg is unlikely to see any overhaul in the race lead as it is relatively flat buttomorrow’s final journey into Barcelona features a number of steep sections and would be suited to Martin.

His first cousin Nicolas Roche pulled out having been sick all week.