Dan Martin made a superb start to the Criterium du Dauphine today when finishing fourth in the race's opening prologue time trial.
Martin raced up the 3.9km climb at Mont Chery in 11 minutes and 57 seconds, only trailing top climbers Alberto Contador, Richie Porte and Chris Froome.
The Etixx-Quickstep rider has raced lightly since the conclusion of spring classics but appears to be in excellent form ahead of the Tour de France and the Olympics as he left other highly-rated riders, such as Team Sky's Mikel Landa, French mountain specialist Thibaut Pinot and reigning Vuelta a Espana champion Fabio Aru, in his wake.
"I'm obviously pretty happy and surprised," Martin told CyclingNews.com.
"I've been in Andorra and just riding my bike. I love riding in the mountains. I’ve not really done any specific training at all and that’s the first time I’ve hit that heart rate since Liege. It bodes well for the rest of the week."
It was Contador who took the early race lead as the Spaniard beat Martin's time by 21 seconds, with Porte and Froome second and third.
Sky leader Froome is looking to win a third Criterium in four years after success in 2013 and 2015 and his battle with Contador is likely to be fought all week as the twice Tour winners prepare to battle for the yellow jersey again next month.
Monday's flat 186-kilometre stage runs from Cluses to Saint Vulbas.
