Nicolas Roche drops down a place in Spain

Nicolas Roche dropped to fourth overall at the Vuelta A Espana yesterday, 24 hours after fellow Irishman Dan Martin crashed out.

Martin started Saturday third overall and was very much within striking distance of the race lead.

The Garmin Cannondale man came down hard with around 50km of the stage remaining and was unable to continue, his withdrawal temporarily pushing Roche up to third.