Sawt Falasteen - Martinez climbs into Tour de Romandie lead with penultimate stage win

The 21-year-old crossed the line ahead of Portugal's Joao Almeida after a gruelling climb to the summit finish at Thyon 2000.

It was the eighth career win for the Bahrain Victorious rider and second on the World Tour after the Paris-Nice fifth stage.

"Every year I just get better and better, and here I am wearing the yellow jersey," said Martinez.

"To be the leader of such a stage race, and also to win a stage, is just incredible."

Second in Friday's stage, Martinez conquered the first four climbs of the day, making the difference in the final 20km of the 128km mountainous stage from Sion.

Martinez duelled with Almeida and Italian Lorenzo Fortunato over the final three kilometres before accelerating to the line.

"I have good acceleration, I know Joao does too and in the end it was a bit of a cool day," said Martinez of the drop in temperature and wet roads after a week of sunshine.

Overall, the Frenchman snatched the yellow jersey from compatriot Alex Baudin, to build a two-second lead on Fortunato with Almeida a further second adrift, heading into Sunday's final 17km time trial in Geneva.

"I don't think it suits me 100 percent, but I'll give it my all, you never know," said the race leader, who will then head to the mountains to prepare for the Criterium du Dauphiné and the Tour de France.

Belgian Remco Evenepoel, dropped behind almost 9km from the finish line, but limited the damage and is still in ninth place, 1min 41sec behind Martinez.

W.AbuLaban--SF-PST