Dan Martin, Tour de France stage nine

Birmingham-born Irishman Dan Martin (Garmin-Sharp) built a reputation as a fearless, attacking climber during 2013. His victory, while pursued by a man in a panda suit, at Liege-Bastogne-Liege propelled him to recognition, having already beaten off the likes of Nairo Quintana and Sir Bradley Wiggins to win the overall prize at the Volta a Catalunya. Little surprise then, that back in July, Martin represented a serious hope of stage victories for Garmin-Sharp at the 100th Tour de France.

With Chris Froome (Team Sky) already having launched a stunning attack up Ax 3 Domaines the previous day, Martin launched his own shot for individual glory in the Pyrenees on La Hourquette. Part of an elite group of climbers on the climb, which boasts ramps averaging 7.8 per cent in gradient, Martin’s stinging attack, with five kilometres remaining, proved to be unstoppable as only Astana’s Jacob Fuglsang could keep pace with the Irishman. Froome, Alberto Contador (Saxo-Tinkoff) and Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) were all among those in pursuit, but working hard together the two made their break stick. And having already displayed his climbing ability, Martin finished with a rare showcase of sprinting class too, displaying the tactical nous and burst of acceleration required to beat the Dane to stage victory.