Sunday 27 March 2016

Martin Finishes Third Volta a Catalunya


Nairo Quintana has become the third Colombian to win the Volta a Catalunya, with Great Britain’s Chris Froome finishing eighth overall.

Sunday’s final stage through Montjuic Park in Barcelona was won by Alexey Tcatevich but Froome finished the stage in 19th.

The reigning Tour de France champion, 30, battled through the final stage, attempting to put some distance between himself and Quintana and was clear in front for a period of the race before being pegged back by the chasing pack. The Colombian follows in the footsteps of his countrymen Álvaro Mejía and Hernan Buenahora, who won the race in 1993 and 1998 respectively

Froome’s compatriot Hugh Carthy finished the competition in ninth with Team Sky finishing third.

Dan Martin, the 2013 winner, finished third overall, 17 seconds behind Quintana and on the same time as defending champion Richie Porte of Australia.

Quintana, who took the lead at the end of the fourth stage of the week-long race in Spain, said: "There's a lot of emotion to have been able to beat my rivals. It gives me confidence that we are working well."

Final Classification
1. Nairo Quintana (Col/Movistar) 30hrs 50mins 19secs
2. Alberto Contador (Spa/Tinkoff) +7secs
3. Daniel Martin (Ire/Etixx - Quick-Step) +17secs
4. Richie Porte (Aus/BMC Racing) Same time
5. Tejay van Garderen (US/BMC Racing) +27secs
6. Romain Bardet (Fra/AG2R) +31secs
7. Ilnur Zakarin (Rus/Katusha) +42secs
8. Chris Froome (GB/Team Sky) +46secs
9. Hugh Carthy (GB/Caja Rural) +1min 01secs
10. Rigoberto Uran (Col/Cannondale) +1min 16secs


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