Volta a Catalunya 2016: Dan Martin powers to victory at stage 3s top finish

Volta a Catalunya 2016: Dan Martin powers to victory at stage 3’s top finish

At 172.1 kilometres, the riders face four category-1 climbs in stage 3 of the Volta a Catalunya. The fireworks detonate in the final 2 kilometres with a plentitude of attacks. Eventually Dan Martin powers to the win, taking both the stage and the leaders jersey ahead of Contador and Bardet. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results stage 3 Volta a Catalunya

1. Daniel Martin (irl)
2. Alberto Contador (spa) + 0.02
3. Romain Bardet (fra) s.t.
4. Tejay van Garderen (usa) s.t.
5. Richie Porte (aus) + 0.09
6. Nairo Quintana (col) s.t.
7. Davide Formolo (ita) + 0.11
8. Ilnur Zakarin (rus) + 0.12
9. Chris Froome (gbr) s.t.
10. Hugh Carty (gbr) + 0.18
11. Rigoberto Uran (col) s.t.

GC after stage 3
1. Daniel Martin (irl)
2. Alberto Contador (spa) + 0.06
3. Romain Bardet (fra) + 0.08
4. Tejay van Garderen (usa) + 0.12
5. Richie Porte (aus) + 0.19
6. Nairo Quintana (col) s.t.
7. Davide Formolo (ita) + 0.21
8. Ilnur Zakarin (rus) + 0.22
9. Chris Froome (gbr) s.t.
10. Hugh Carty (gbr) + 0.28
11. Rigoberto Uran (col) s.t.

Race report
Van Zyl, Reza, Alaphilippe, Bouwman and Hirt escape after 10 kms, while Duyn and Howes bridge the gap. The six race to a maximum lead at 12 minutes in less than an hour.

Duyn is the first to crest Alt de Coubet. Leader Bouhanni is dropped at the lower slopes and abandons a little later. At the next climb, Alt de Tosses, Tom Dumoulin calls it quits. His compatriot Duyn is the first to crest and along with Howes he plunges down.

Pieter Weening joins the two leaders at the first climb to La Molina. Almost without respite he leaves them alone and now he is the first to crest. After the drop the climb to Molina looms once more.

With 10 kms left Louis Vervaeke opens the chase. He gobbles up Weening but in his turn he is gobbled up by the stellar pack with 5 kms to go. An intermediate drop takes the riders to the final 2 kms and it’s there trhe race explodes. Poels is the first to attack. Then Porte, then Quintana. But it’s Dan Martin who really makes a difference when he attacks in the last 500 metres. All big names in Catalunya try to close the gap, but to no avail. The Irishman climbs to glory and takes the leaders jersey while he is at it.