Dan Martin says he's grateful to Israel Start-Up Nation for the past two years, adding he never thought he would have achieved such a high finish in a Grand Tour as 4th in last year’s Vuelta.
The Irishman made his comments after announcing the end of his racing career in a statement just before midnight last night.
The 35-year-old
will ride the Tour of Britain, starting tomorrow, before going on to bow out at
Il Lombardia; finishing his career at the Italian classic he won in 2014.
“These past two seasons with ISN have been some of the
most enjoyable moments of my cycling career,” Irish international Martin said in a statement issued by the team last night.
“Together, we have achieved some incredible results that even I didn’t realize were possible such as my 4th in the GC at the Vuelta in 2020.”
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Martin won a
stage of this year’s Giro, on his way to 10th overall, and a stage at La Vuelta
last year with Israel Start-Up Nation on his way to 4th overall.
“Seeing the happiness those victories bought to so many
people in this organization was the best moment as they were truly earned by
everybody,” he said.
“ISN really became like my family these past two years
and leaving this group of people made my decision even more difficult. We’ve
lived some incredible moments together from my first experience of Israel
during our camp in December 2019 to the victories we have achieved.
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“I am really grateful to team owners Sylvan Adams and Ron
Baron for the opportunity to have been a part of this team and all the team
sponsors for their support.
“A special
thank you to all the team staff and riders whose great spirit made every moment
together, even the tough times, special. I look forward to continuing the story
in the next races and I wish the team the very best in the future.”
Team owner Adams
described Martin’s decision to end his career as “a bittersweet moment” for the team.
“Dan has
been one of the great riders in our sport for many years, animating races,
earning a palmares of victories in
classics and Grand Tours,” he said of the Irish climber.
“Dan
brought a style and standard of racing to ISN that we will try to emulate, made
all the more difficult without him in next year’s lineup.
“I am truly sorry that Dan won’t be racing with us next
year, but understand and respect his decision. Dan will always be a
member of the ISN family. We wish him luck in his future endeavours.”
Team manager
Kjell Carlstrom said Martin’s arrival into Israel Start-Up Nation last year, as
it was moving up to WorldTour level for the first time, was an important moment
in the evolution of the outfit.
“He
expressed confidence in the project and for sure has played an important role in building the image that
we have today,” Carlstrom said.
“I hope Dan will get some great results to finish off a
long and successful professional cycling career and wish Dan all the best with any upcoming endeavors.”
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