Dan Martin gained an important boost yesterday when he raced to an impressive seventh place overall in the Critérium Du Dauphiné, likely his last race prior to the Tour de France.

The Irish Cannondale- Garmin rider has been affected by bad luck this year but while he was delayed by a puncture on Saturday’s stage, it appears that his fortunes are improving. He finished seventh on Sunday’s final stage, 31 seconds behind stage winner Chris Froome (Sky), and finished in the same position overall.

He was two minutes 52 seconds behind Froome, the winner of the 2013 Tour.

Martin could well have finished in the top six overall had he not had that puncture.

Fellow Irish professionals Nicolas Roche and Philip Deignan (both Sky) finished 37th and 43rd overall.