Alejandro Valverde frustrates Dan Martin again in Belgium

Ireland’s Dan Martin came painfully close to winning Fleche Wallonne for the first time yesterday but just like in 2014, when he finished runner-up to Alejandro Valverde (Movistar), he was pipped at the post by the same man again.

Cruelly, the Irishman was edged out of second by his Etixx-QuickStep teammate Julian Alaphilippe but hung on for third after a typically gutsy display.

Martin came into the race as one of the favourites having been second, fourth, and sixth in the past. All looked to be going to plan when he approached the final climb towards the front of the peloton.