Dan Martin, Trophee des Grimpeurs Under an intense summer sun, 21-year-old Dan Martin made what may end up being THE move of the 2008 Route du Sud. Joining the day’s breakaway, Dan and his fellow escapees gained more than 30 minutes on the main peloton in the overall classification!

After about an hour of racing, Dan and a group of 11 other riders formed the core of the day’s break. Five more riders joined the them and the group of 17 worked well together opening up a gap that continued to increase all the way until the finish. In the last 20 km, the group started splintering with various attacks. But Dan was able to respond to and stay with each one, until the group was down to six with 4 km to go. The top three attacked out of that group for the final sprint leaving Dan to battle it out in his second group of three.

“Today was unreal,” said Dan. “Nobody missed a turn all day, so riding with 16 guys really made it quite easy. I was cruising all day. The little kickers towards the end really made me grit my teeth though.”

“The plan was to follow Christophe Moreau, but I saw the chance to make a break without too much effort. We ended up taking a bit of time, so that’s good for the GC,” Dan continued. “I didn’t really do the sprint. I just wanted the GC time, so I let the three other guys play cat and mouse for the stage win. When I opened the sprint in the second group - even into the headwind - just one guy got me. So I guess the form is pretty good. I’m not too tired now so game on tomorrow in the uphill TT!”

Team Garmin-Chipotle H30 stage 1 results
1. Simon Gerrans 4:52′05″

5. Dan Martin +20″
32. Tom Danielson +37′26″
33. Kilian Patour +37′26″
54. Christophe Laurent +37′26″
87. Trent Lowe +37′26″
95. Tom Peterson +37′26″
102. Tyler Farrar +37′26″
107. Will Frischkorn +37′26″

Team Garmin-Chipotle H30 GC
1. Simon Gerrans 4:51′46″

4. Dan Martin +38″
32. Tom Danielson +37′45″
33. Kilian Patour +37′45″
54. Christophe Laurent +37′45″
87. Trent Lowe +37′45″
95. Tom Peterson +37′45″
102. Tyler Farrar +37′45″
107. Will Frischkorn +37′45″