Dan Martin Route du Sud podiumPhoto copyright : Pierre Carrey / www.directvelo.com

Carefully delivered to the finish of today’s final stage by all his teammates, 21-year-old Dan Martin (above center) crossed the line in Castres, France the winner of his first pro race. In taking the yellow at the 32nd Route du Sud, the young Irish rider also gave the newly named Team Garmin-Chipotle H3O it’s first win.

“Nobody made it easy for us today - and the sprinters’ teams pretty much just gave up halfway through,” said CEO Director Sportif Jonathan Vaughters from the finish in Castres. Vaughters won the Route du Sud in 1999. “However, the guys did great and held the gap nice and even. Dan was comfortable and well protected. Winning our first race out for our new sponsor, Garmin, is pretty special.”

Dan Martin Route du Sud start stage 4Also onsite for the four-day stage race was Dan’s trainer, Sports Physiologist Adrie van Diemen. “At the beginning of the season, one of Dan’s goals was to win a pro race. Today it just turned out to be a stage race!” Adrie said. “This is great for Dan (right, center). All his hard and dedicated training and racing has led to this top performance.”

**All photos courtesy and copyright : Pierre Carrey / www.directvelo.com**.

Team Garmin-Chipotle H30 stage 4 results
1. Jussi Veikkanen 5h07′46″

36. Trent Lowe +6′50″
37. Tom Peterson +6′50″
40. Will Frischkorn +6′50″
45. Tom Danielson +6′50″
46. Dan Martin +6′50″
77. Christophe Laurent +9′03″
DNF Tyler Farrar

Team Garmin-Chipotle H30 Final GC
1. Dan Martin 16h44′21″
2. Christophe Moreau +1′42″
3. Luca Pierfelici +2′58″

19. Trent Lowe +43′02″
34. Tom Peterson +59′21″
40. Christophe Laurent +1h04′14″
62. Tom Danielson +1h12′43″
74. Will Frischkorn +1h15′46″