Cavendish claims stage as Irish duostay out of trouble

Dan Martin (Garmin-Sharp) and Nicolas Roche (Ag2R La Mondiale) steered clear of trouble on yesterday’s second stage of the Tour de France and crossed the line in the same time as stage winner Mark Cavendish (Sky Procycling).

The Irish duo received a further fillip when they moved up one place to 23rd and 24th respectively, on the overall General classification, with Martin now 24 seconds behind race-leader Fabian Cancellara (RadioShack-Nissan) and Roche a further second back.

Roche was 52nd on the 207 kilometre pan-flat trek from Visé to Tournai in Belgium while Martin came home in 145th place, sensibly deciding not to contest a hectic sprint.