Sport

Dan Martin avoids costly splits in the bunch to stay ninth

He placed 28th and remains five minutes and three seconds behind leader Chris Froome

Irish rider Daniel Martin and Fabio Aru, ride in the pack at the “Nydeggstalden” hill in the old town of Berne, during the 16th stage of the 103rd edition of the Tour de France. Photograph: EPA
Irish rider Daniel Martin and Fabio Aru, ride in the pack at the “Nydeggstalden” hill in the old town of Berne, during the 16th stage of the 103rd edition of the Tour de France. Photograph: EPA
Shane Stokes
Mon Jul 18 2016 - 20:07

Dan Martin avoided splits in the bunch which could have cost him dear in the finale of Monday's 16th stage of the main bunch, finishing with the stage winner Peter Sagan (Tinkoff).

The bunch fragmented on the tough run into Berne but Martin and the other general classification contenders rolled in as part of the front group. He placed 28th on the stage and remains ninth overall, five minutes and three seconds behind race leader Chris Froome (Sky).

Sam Bennett got through the stage and is a day closer to Paris and his goal of taking part in the bunch sprint there.

Both Irish riders have a chance to recharge their batteries on Tuesday’s rest day in and around Berne. They will then resume the Tour on Wednesday in the first of four tough Alpine stages.

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For Martin the goal is to try to move higher in the top ten, while Bennett will target survival in advance of next Sunday’s expected sprint on the Champs Elysees.

Shane Stokes

Shane Stokes

Shane Stokes is a contributor to The Irish Times writing about cycling