Irishman Dan Martin has followed in his famous uncle’s footsteps and won a stage of the Tour de France.

Martin became the first Irishman since his uncle Stephen Roche in 1992 to win a stage when he triumphed on Sunday.

The Garmin-Sharp rider claimed the mountain stage from Saint-Girons to Bagnères-de-Bigorre in the Pyrenees.

Birmingham born Martin is now up to eighth place in the overall classifications, two minutes and 28 seconds behind leader Chris Froome.

A delighted Martin told Irish national broadcaster RTE: “I’m not thinking about the general classification. The objective was to come here and win a stage.

“Now I’ve achieved that, it is a case I can relax and really enjoy the race. Anything from now on is a bonus.”

And he did admit to a bit of an Irish style party as he became only the fifth Irishman to win a stage.
He revealed: “We had a late flight to Northern France after the stage. It was a late night and a bit uncyclist like we had a couple of beers in the airport to celebrate.

“It was an incredible day for the team and such a great team effort. I had the legs to finish it off in the end.

“I don’t think at the time I realised the magnitude of what I was achieving. I just treated it as a normal race and I think that is why I remained so calm in the situation.

“I don’t let the occasion affect me and it was only when I was hit by the tidal wave of media attention after the finish line you realise what has just happened.

“It is starting to sink in now but I’m already thinking about the next stage and concentrating on that.”