Irishman Dan Martin won the ninth stage of the Tour de France yesterday after a dramatic day of racing left Team Sky and yellow jersey holder Chris Froome sorely exposed to rivals.
Martin, the nephew of Irish great Stephen Roche, came over the finish with his arms in triumph after beating Dane Jakob Fuglsang (Astana) in a two-up sprint to claim his maiden win on the race.
Froome arrived 20 seconds later alongside rivals Alejandro Valverde, Alberto Contador and Cadel Evans but notably without any Sky teammates, including key mountain helper Richie Porte.
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