CYCLING TOUR OF POLAND:DANIEL MARTIN picked up the first overall ProTour stage race victory for Ireland and for his team, Garmin Transtitions, when he raced to a superb victory in the Tour of Poland on Saturday.
The 23-year-old seized the lead when he won Thursday’s mountain stage, then calmly defended his yellow jersey over the two remaining stages.
After placing seventh on Friday, he finished safely in the main bunch on Saturday’s final leg to Krakow, and ended the prestigious week-long race eight seconds clear of closest rival, Grega Bole (Lampre-Farnese Vini) and 10 seconds ahead of Bauke Mollema (Rabobank).
It was a mature display, and one which promises much for the months and years ahead.
“Obviously it is massive for the team. Coming soon after the Tour de France, they sent a bunch of young guys to do this ProTour race and we ended up winning. It is great,” he said.
It is also a strong boost for Martin, given that he didn’t perform to his full ability in the Giro d’Italia earlier this year.
“It is nice to be feeling like I am reaching my potential again. All year I was convinced that I was suffering with allergies and couldn’t hit that top form. We are not sure why it was happening. But now, I have suddenly got an extra gear from somewhere. It is great to get it down on paper that I can actually compete at that level.”
The strong climber highlighted his potential in the mountains when he won the Route du Sud in his first year as a pro in 2008.
Winning in Poland moves him up another level. Doing so at such a young age is very encouraging.
“To actually win a European pro race is great. It is really good for the confidence and it can only get better from here.”
Martin will now focus on the Grand Prix Ouest France and the Tour of Lombardy, with the first of those taking place next Sunday.
