A stunning effort in the team time trial earned widespread praise for Tony Martin (Omega Pharma-Quickstep), but not content with having set up Mark Cavendish for the leader’s blue jersey, the German was at it again on stage three. A phenomenal pace at the front of the bunch put Michal Kwiatkowski in the perfect position to challenge for stage honours – and his second place overall was enough to move into the overall lead. That team-mate Rigoberto Uran also finished safely in the chasing group, to move second overall, shows just how crucial Martin’s effort had been.
Though he has earned, quite rightly, most plaudits for his ability against the clock, the German’s tireless efforts in the bunch have also seen him widely acknowledged as a fiercely good all-round rider – his efforts at the Tour of Beijing last year showed he is willing to attack on moderate climbs, while his solo escape at last year’s Vuelta a Espana will live long in the memory for all those who saw it. In a team full of superstars, the efforts of the likes of Martin in the bunch remain of huge importance.
