Dani Martinez, who won the overall at the Criterium du Dauphiné on Sunday, was overlooked until he signed with EF Pro Cycling for the 2018 season, according to team boss Jonathan Vaughters.

With Dauphiné leader Primo Roglic (Jumbo-Visma) unable to compete in the final stage due to an injury sustained the day before, the chances of an overall win were greatly increased, and Martinez started Sunday's fifth stage just He started Sunday's fifth stage just 12 seconds behind race leader Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ). Martinez caught up to Julien Alaphilippe (Desseuninck-Quick Step) and Pavel Sivakov (Team Inoise) on the final climb of the Côte de Cordon, but Pinot was unable to catch Pinot.

"It's one of the greatest days of my life," said a delighted Martinez in a team press release after winning the Dauphiné title by 29 seconds over Pinot and 41 seconds over Guillaume Martin (Cofidis), despite finishing second on the final stage. It's one of the most important races and I'm really happy to have done it."

"I am still tired from the race and I still can't believe it. My last race was in Colombia and I won it." Martinez continued. And I won the Dauphiné today too."

"This race is for my family and my son. I've come this far because of the people who believed in me and who have supported me."

"Everyone worked really hard this week. I've had some hard times, like Sergio's crash [in stage 2], but the whole team has helped me. And also to EF for supporting this team. This victory is also for them and all the staff around the world."

Martinez is already far ahead of the 1980s, when Luis 'Lucio' Herrera and Fabio Parra won mountains and stages in the Grand Tours, and Herrera, like Martinez today, won the Criterium du Dauphiné in 1988 and 1991, a pro He is part of the modern Colombian renaissance in cycling.

The team includes 2019 Tour de France champion Egan Bernal (Team Ineos), 2014 Giro d'Italia and 2016 Vuelta a España winner Nairo Quintana (Arkea-Samsic), 2016 Giro runner-up Esteban Chaves ( Mitchelton-Scott), along with Martinez, Uran, and Iguita, have shown their talent in the mountain stages of major races, and the Colombian's presence seems to be accelerating.

"When we signed Dani from the Pro Continental team (Wilier Triestina-Selle Italia, now Vini Zabù-KTM Italia Pro Team) in 2018, it's safe to say he was overlooked," Jonathan Vaughters said after his Sunday Jonathan Vaughters said after his rider's victory on Sunday. 'It happens a lot in this sport. But Rigo [Rigoberto Uran] recommended Dani to me and he believed in him. And after working with him for a few years, it was clear that Dani deserved a chance. Dani has worked hard to reach this level and his style is a perfect match for this team. I couldn't be happier for him, for the team as a whole, and especially for the Colombian riders and fans.

"Dani won this race with tactical flair and style, similar to how this team won the Dauphiné with Andrew Talansky in 2014," continued Vaughters, who jumped out of third place overall on the final stage six years ago, beating Alberto Contador and He is referring to the now-retired American who won the title ahead of Chris Froome.

"Both of these victories were unexpected and dazzling, showing not only strength but also smarts. We are not a strong team, but we find talent and we race with conviction. That's who we are, and today's race made that clear. I'm very happy."

The final eight members of the EF Pro Cycling team for the Tour de France have yet to be announced, but Martinez will likely join Uran and Higuain in Nice on August 29 for his second Tour, having finished 36th in 2018.

"It's been a really strange season," Vaughters added. For us, this one is dedicated to EF and to the people who support us when we are in a tight spot, and we are grateful that EF is on our side. And we'll see you at the Tour."