HAVING TWICE FINISHED second in the Volta a Catalunya, Ireland’s Daniel Martin today claimed the top prize after today’s seventh and final stage in Barcelona.
Martin, riding for the Garmin team, has led the Volta since taking first place on Thursday’s stage four and today kept pace with his nearest challenger, Joaquim Rodríguez.
Martin had increased his lead on both stage five and six to take a 17-second advantage into today’s 122km ride towards Barcelona, which was won by Thomas De Gendt ahead of Team Sky’s David Lopez.
Martin is the second Irishman (after Sean Kelly) to win the Volta a Catalunya. And he did so in esteemed company with reigning Tour de France champion Bradley Wiggins, who slipped back to fifth place today, ending the week 54 seconds behind the leader.
