Martin gearing up for twin-pronged assault
The Garmin-SHARP rider was 28th on the opening stage of the five-day Tour de l’Ain in France, coming home 16 seconds behind stage winner Gianni Meersman (Omega Pharma — Quick-Step).
The race was a 4.6 kilometre prologue, won by Meersman in 5minutes 22 seconds.
Martin, who has missed the middle part of the season through injury will look to move up in the coming days which feature some very testing climbs.
Today’s stage takes the riders 150 kilometres from Lac de Chalain to Montrevel-en-Bresse.
Meanwhile, Ireland is set to qualify five riders for the junior men’s race at the World Road Championships in Ponferrada, Spain, next month.
Currently sitting in 15th place in the Nations’ Cup with 35 points; the large team has been qualified thanks to that ranking.
The first 10 countries in the Nation’s Cup by the cut-off date of this coming Friday, August 15th, will have earned the right to name 12 potential starters for the road race of which a maximum of six with take to the line.
The next five nations – ranking from 11th to 15th – can name a short list of 10 riders, of which a maximum of five can start.
With the final Nations Cup race before the World Championships at the end of next month now completed, Ireland is guaranteed to finish in 15th place meaning five places are assured.
In the past Cycling Ireland has opted not to fill the quota of riders permitted for some World Championship events on the basis that only those the federation feels could hold their own for at least a large portion of their respective race should be selected.
However, with such a strong crop of juniors now emerging, it would be a major surprise if all five berths were not filled.
Eddie Dunbar is expected to lead the team with the remaining riders to be selected after this weekend’s National Championships in Cork.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
