Martin continues winning streak
Irish professional rider Daniel Martin (Garmin-Transitions) continued his winning ways by taking a splendid victory at the 1.1 ranked Tre Valli Varesine race in Italy earlier today.
The 23-year-old escaped in a breakaway with Domenico Pozzovivo (Colnago-CSF) on the final climb of the day and showed he is in the form of his life at the moment by dropping the Italian a kilometre from the line on the drag up to the finish in Varese.
The podium was rounded out by Jerome Baugnies (Topsport Vlaanderen-Mercator), while former Tour of Italy winner Damiano Cunego (Lampre-Farnese Vini) and Italian champion Giovanni Visconti (ISD-Neri) were among the chasers behind, finishing in 5th and 7th place respectively after the day's 200-kilometre journey.
Martin, a first cousin of fellow professional Nicolas Roche, won a stage at the Tour of Poland in similar fashion recently-by dropping those closest to him on the steep finishing circuit. He also claimed the yellow jersey as overall winner there and finished 3rd in the General Classification at the weeklong Brixia Tour back in July, which was won by the aforementioned Pozzovivo.
Today’s race was marked by a serious crash involving Stefano Garzelli (Acqua & Sapone). The former Giro d’Italia winner was taken to hospital with facial injuries and a suspected fracture to the wrist.
Meanwhile, Roche and Philip Deignan (Cervelo Test Team) look set to start this year’s Vuelta á Espana having been shortlisted to ride the three week Grand Tour by their respective teams.
The race begins in a little under a fortnight and both riders have been included in 11-man shortlists, though they will be whittled down to nine riders some day next week.
While Roche is more of a certainty to start having claimed 15th place at the Tour de France, Deignan’s selection won’t be as such a sure thing but having claimed a stage win last year, the Donegal man should get the nod.
He also presents the Cervelo Test Team with a fresh pair of legs having missed this year’s Giro d’Italia to focus on the Tour de France but his inclusion in his debut Tour was put on hold after a recurring knee problem.
