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Vuelta a Espana 2014: stage four – five observations

John Degenkolb proves sprinting class as Sky and Movistar show their strength

Dan Martin was in the mix again on stage four, as Garmin-Sharp’s Birmingham-born Irishman continued to show just what a threat he can be.

His position as a contender in the hilly Classics is already ensured, courtesy of his Liege-Bastogne-Liege win in 2013, and the sort of undulating terrain found on stage four is definitely to his liking.

Dan Martin took fifth in the sprint on stage four (pic: Sirotti)

Fifth place, to follow his second place of the previous day, also boosts his position in the points classification – should that be an aim of his.

And more than anything, it was a show of strength again from Martin as he returns from injury.

Getting involved in the sprints will certainly do Martin no harm, testing his legs and – as stage three did – giving him every chance of clawing back bonus seconds overall.

Now up to 20th overall, the true nature of the GC will not be revealed until after stage six on the summit finish, but Martin certainly looks a man in form on the evidence so far.

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