Martin denied stage win

Ireland’s Dan Martin went desperately close to snatching a stage win on the 13th stage of the Vuelta A Espana as victory went to Spaniard Daniel Navarro, who was rewarded for a daring late attack.

Navarro (Cofidis) escaped from the pack inside the final 3km and won by two seconds from Daniel Moreno (Katusha) and third-placed Wilco Kelderman (Belkin) with Martin crossing the line in ninth place, a further three seconds back and thus remaining 11th overall at 3:59.

Alberto Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo) was also five seconds behind in seventh to retain the leader’s red jersey, with the top of the overall rankings largely unchanged.

Alejandro Valverde (Movistar), who is second overall, was fourth, while Chris Froome was 13th and sits in fourth overall ahead of today’s 14th stage.

The 200.8km route from Santander to the finishing ascent of La Camperona is one for the red jersey hopefuls to flex their muscles once more.

Meanwhile, Nicolas Roche (Tinkoff-Saxo), Sam Bennett (NetApp-Endura), Jack Wilson and Ryan Mullen (Garmin-SHARP) are the four Irishmen on the start-line for the opening stage of tomorrow’s week-long Tour of Britain.