Martin’s early break pays off

German powerhouse Tony Martin stormed to his maiden road stage victory at the Tour de France yesterday — and his Omega Pharma-Quick Step team’s second win in three days.

But the big winner over the weekend was Frenchman Tony Gallopin who took possession of the race leader’s yellow jersey when he successfully infiltrated a 28-man chase group that broke clear of the main peloton and went in pursuit of the indomitable Martin, who had been away from as early as the 15th kilometre along with breakaway companion Alessandro De Marchi (Cannondale).

Martin powered away from De Marchi on the punishing climbs and had a whopping two minutes and 45 seconds to spare over the next-placed rider over the line, Fabian Cancellara.