Roche: Stage set for Martin

Irish cycling legend Stephen Roche "would put his money" on nephew Dan Martin to win a stage of the Giro d’Italia, which starts in Belfast with a team time-trial on Friday.

However, Roche, who won the race in 1987, doesn’t believe that Martin or his own son Nicolas can claim the overall title in the gruelling event.

“Nicolas or Dan are both quite capable of finishing in the first five,” reasoned Roche senior. “I think to go into the top three is also possible, but from there on it’ll be very difficult.