Today Ireland's Dan Martin (Garmin-Sharp) accomplished overall victory of the Volta a Catalunya after seeing off a late assault from rival Joaquím Rodriguez (Katusha) on the final stage into Barcelona.

Going into the decisive stage enjoying a 17-second lead the Garmin-Sharp rider came under immense pressure when Rodriguez launched a desperate endeavour to surpass him on the last climb.But Martin was able to follow and consequently crossed the finish line next to the Spaniard, who had to settle for second place overall.

Michele Scarponi (Lampre-Merida) broke clear of the peloton in the closing stages leapfrogging both Bradley Wiggins (Sky) and Colombia's Nairo Quintana (Movistar) into third.

The stage was won by Belgium's Thomas de Gendt, who joined Scarponi in the late breakaway and then outsprinted Italy's David Lopez (Sky), who took second ahead Croatia's Robert Kiserlovski in third.

Result stage 7:
1 Tomas De Gendt - Vacansoleil-DCM
2 David López - Sky
3 Robert Kiserlovski – RadioShack-Leopard
4 Michele Scarponi - Lampre-Merida

5 Samuel Dumoulin - AG2R La Mondiale 0.21”
6 Julien Simon - Sojasun
7 Manuele Mori - Lampre-Merida
8 Travis Meyer - Orica GreenEdge
9 Gianluca Brambilla - Omega Pharma-Quick Step
10 Jakob Fuglsang - Astana Pro Team
 

General classification:
1 Daniel Martin - Garmin Sharp 29.02.25
2 Joaquin Rodriguez - Katusha 0.17”
3 Michele Scarponi - Lampre-Merida 0.34”
4 Nairo Quintana - Movistar Team 0.45”
5 Bradley Wiggins - Sky Procycling 0.54”
6 Robert Gesink - Blanco 1.07”
7 Przemyslaw Niemiec - Lampre-Merida 1.18”
8 Thibaut Pinot - FDJ 1.26”
9 Jurgen Van Den Broeck - Lotto Belisol 1.28”
10 Thomas Danielson - Garmin Sharp 1.41”