Dan Martin and Nicolas Roche revel in Vuelta cauldron

Dan Martin and Nicolas Roche both survived the intense heat, the gruelling terrain and a flurry of late attacks to preserve third and fourth overall, respectively, at the Vuelta A Espana yesterday.

The seventh stage of the race took the riders 190 kilometres from Jodar to the category one summit finish of La Alpujarra and the Irish pair were 10th and 11th across the line in a select group of big-name General Classification contenders.

One name conspicuous by his absence, however, was reigning Tour de France champion Chris Froome after being distanced by that group of favourites and he would concede over 30 seconds.

The Team Sky man dropped to 12th overall and should his form not pick up in the coming days it’s likely the leadership role will pass onto the shoulders of Roche.

He is still 36 seconds off the race lead in fourth, while Martin is the next-best overall 33 seconds down on red jersey wearer Esteban Chaves (Orica GreenEDGE).

Chaves crossed the line in sixth while Tom Dumoulin (Giant Alpecin), who started the day second, remained there last night after another gutsy display by him.

Today’s stage takes the riders 182 kilometres to Murcia and is a comparatively easier day than yesterday, with just two category three climbs to negotiate in the latter quarter of the race.

A bunch sprint is the expected outcome there and that’ll come as a welcome relief to the riders ahead of tomorrow’s summit finish which features solid climbing for the final four kilometres.

Such sharp, steep ramps are where both Martin and Roche excel and they’ll be going all out to try and secure stage – or possibly race leadership there.

Meanwhile, it was confirmed yesterday that Martin would leave Garmin Cannondale at the end of this season and join fellow WorldTour team Etixx-QuickStep for the next two years.

Martin, 29, has been with his current team for eight seasons but felt a change of environment would bring about improved results.

“I’m really excited to join the team, which has been a point of reference in cycling for years,” he said.

“I hope to be able to take the next step in my career with Etixx-QuickStep.

“I would like to improve even more and establish consistency with my performances. I think I am entering an important moment of my career at my age.”