Daniel Martínez (Bora-Hansgrohe) set out from Alpago on Saturday morning nurturing obscure notions of making an attempt to win the penultimate stage of the Giro d’Italia, however he shortly put the concept out of his head when maglia rosa Tadej Pogačar (UAE Group Emirates) accelerated a shade underneath 6km from the summit of Monte Grappa.
Not for the primary time on this Giro, Pogačar was in a division completely of his personal. Martínez instantly centered his consideration on competing in opposition to the lads in his personal weight class for the best to accompany Pogačar on the rostrum in Rome on Sunday.
“I began with the mindset of making an attempt to win the stage, however Pogačar was unbelievable,” Martínez mentioned when he rolled to a halt on Bassano del Grappa’s Viale delle Fosse. “He’s in spectacular situation, and the second he attacked, no one may comply with.”
Martínez was already second total earlier than the day started, albeit with only a 22-second lead over his outdated Ineos Grenadiers teammate Geraint Thomas. When the Welshman misplaced floor on the higher reaches of Monte Grappa, Martínez sensed a chance to safe a firmer grasp on the second step of the rostrum. He discovered an ally of circumstance within the form of Antonio Tiberi (Bahrain Victorious), who was driving to safe the white jersey of finest younger rider.
“I noticed Thomas let the wheels go and so when Tiberi attacked, I went with him. We collaborated as a result of we have been each serious about gaining time,” mentioned Martínez.
“I used to be making an attempt to place extra time into Thomas, however I couldn’t handle it. We gave every thing, however on the descent he caught us with a bunch.”
At that time, on the lengthy drop into Bassano del Grappa, a détente of types broke out within the chasing group behind Pogačar, the place all appeared content material to carry on to what they’d. They got here in 2:07 down on the stage, with Martínez sprinting to 3rd place on the stage.
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The Colombian will thus journey into Rome on Sunday in second place total, some 9:56 behind a Pogačar who has been totally with out rival because the second this race left Turin.
For Martínez, second place gives a affirmation of the Grand Tour promise he had proven by successful the Critérium du Dauphiné in 2020 and which he had hinted at all through his time at Ineos. Three years in the past, as an illustration, Martínez took fifth total on the Giro, regardless that his principal position on the race was to shepherd his compatriot Egan Bernal to victory.
On that event, Martínez memorably steadied the ship for Bernal at Sega di Ala and once more at Alpe Motta. When given his personal shot at management, nonetheless, Martínez had tended to flounder. He began the 2022 notionally with a free position, as an illustration, however he shortly fell out of the GC battle and into domestique duties for Thomas.
Martínez swapped Ineos for Bora-Hansgrohe within the winter with a watch to exploring his personal potential as a Grand Tour chief, although he should have had his doubts when the German squad later signed Primož Roglič. Jai Hindley and Aleksandr Vlasov are constructing their seasons round working for Roglič on the Tour, however Martínez – who might but function as a deluxe domestique in July – was granted the liberty to guide on the Giro.
Martínez suffered some mishaps on this Giro, together with on the primary summit end at Oropa, when he restricted his losses regardless of jammed gears. The one apparent setback got here within the Desenzano del Garda time trial, the place he briefly conceded second place to Thomas, however he seized it again on the steep summit end at Monte Pana on stage 16.
“There have been a number of robust moments, there are at all times numerous robust moments, however I believe I disguised them properly,” Martínez mentioned.
The 28-year-old’s success in weeklong stage races has lengthy been contrasted along with his tendency to endure ruinous off days within the Grand Excursions. Martínez’s success in staying the course right here, albeit virtually ten minutes down on Pogačar, was proof that three-week racing is certainly inside his vary.
“I’ve labored very onerous for this. Generally issues have gone properly, generally they’ve not gone the best way we needed them to, however that is what life is about, to maintain going, to persevere,” mentioned Martínez.
“There are riders like Nairo [Quintana], who’re at all times there from the beginning within the prime 10 in three-week races. I’m going at my very own rhythm, however I’m getting there.”
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