Surgery over the winter means we are yet to see the best of world time trial champion Tony Martin (Omega Pharma-Quickstep), but stage two of the Itzulia showed him back to his very best. As soon as the break formed, Martin, Jan Bakelants and Gorka Izaguirre (Movistar) among them, there was a sense it had the man-power to stay the distance. The bunch kept them at a manageable distance but with no threat to Alberto Contador’s overall lead after his own solo win on stage one it created the perfect scenario for it to stay out.

And Martin in particular was in his element. Timing his attacks to perfection, first he rid himself of all but Izaguirre and Bakelants, and then he accelerated away to storm to a comfortable stage win. Pressed low against his frame, arms thrust out in front of him, it is hard not to enjoy the sight of the German in time trial mode – he is, after all, the world’s best against the clock. His efforts for the team at Tirreno-Adriatico make this first victory of the season richly deserved for Martin, and you would not bet against it opening the floodgates.