Martin, riding for Omega-Pharma Quick-Step, made his intentions known early on as he charged away from the main field 18km in and he was joined by Cannondale rider Alessandro De Marchi of Italy.

Both riders continued to set the pace maintaining a hefty lead over a chasing pack of 28, led by Gallopin, who had broken away from the main peloton.

However, Martin, who is a three-time world time trial champion, hit the afterburners with 60km to go and left De Marchi in his wake as they entered the fifth of the day's six categorised climbs.

The German was now out on his own and powered over the flat final 20km into Mulhouse to secure an impressive win and his third career stage win on the Tour.

Martin's win today sees him also take possession of the climber's polka-dot jersey
©Getty Images




"There is a big difference between success in a time trial and a stage in a race," said the 29-year-old, who joins compatriots Marcel Kittel and Andre Greipel as stage winners this year and also takes over the King of the Mountains polka-dot jersey.

"The feeling of the last 5km, when I knew I had won, was incredible.

"I could still push 400 or 500 watts easy because I didn't feel pain any more.

"We knew there were 28 guys behind us and I knew if they chased us down it was going to be a hard day.

"I didn't want to have any silly games so I decided it doesn't matter what De Marchi does, I go full gas.

"I knew they were getting closer so I decided to go on my own and make my time trial last 50 or 60 kilometres.

"I'm really proud.

"It was a really great day - one of the nicest I have had in cycling."

Tony Gallopin will be a proud Frenchman as he wears the leader's yellow jersey on Bastille Day tomorrow ©Getty Images



While Martin was powering ahead, what was happening behind was of more consequence to the overall general classification.

Lotto-Belisol rider Gallopin was part of a breakaway group that finished two minutes and 45 seconds behind, led home by Switzerland's Fabian Cancellara ahead of Belgian Greg van Avermaet riding for BMC Racing.

Gallopin had started the day three minutes and 27 seconds behind Astana's race leader Nibali who finished in the main peloton and did not look overly concerned at relinquishing the yellow jersey to the Frenchman, who will start Bastille Day tomorrow with a one minute and 34 second lead over the Italian.

Nibali's Danish team mate Jakob Fugslang drops from second to fourth overall, while NetApp Endura's Portuguese rider Tiago Machado replaces Team Sky's Richie Porte in third with the Australian dropping to fifth in general classification.

Tomorrow's stage includes six climbs - three of which are category one - as the riders make their way from Mulhouse to La Planche des Belles Filles.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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