Dan Martin: It was a very hard day to start the Vuelta a España

EIBAR SPAIN OCTOBER 20 Daniel Martin of Ireland and Team Israel StartUp Nation Enric Mas Nicolau of Spain and Movistar Team Primoz Roglic of Slovenia and Team Jumbo Visma Hugh Carthy of The United Kingdom and Team EF Pro Cycling Sepp Kuss of The United States and Team Jumbo Visma Breakaway during the 75th Tour of Spain 2020 Stage 1 a 173km stage from Irun to Eibar Alto de Arrate 570m lavuelta LaVuelta20 La Vuelta on October 20 2020 in Eibar Spain Photo by Justin SetterfieldGetty Images
Dan Martin (Israel Start-Up Nation) puts in an attack on the Alto de Arrate on stage 1 (Image credit: Getty Images Sport)

Israel Start-Up Nation leader Dan Martin kicked off his second Grand Tour of the season with a strong performance on the opening stage, taking third place atop the Alto de Arrate for a promising start to a truncated 18-day Vuelta a España.

The Irishman came in just behind Ineos Grenadiers' Richard Carapaz and a second down on stage winner, Jumbo-Visma's Primož Roglič. His third place looks a sign of an upward trajectory after fifth place at La Flèche Wallonne and faces a host of similarly steep uphill finishes suited to his abilities over the next three weeks.

Dani Ostanek
Senior News Writer

Dani Ostanek is Senior News Writer at Cyclingnews, having joined in 2017 as a freelance contributor and later being hired full-time. Before joining the team, she had written for numerous major publications in the cycling world, including CyclingWeekly and Rouleur. She writes and edits at Cyclingnews as well as running newsletter, social media, and how to watch campaigns.