Irish climber Dan Martin would have liked a better start to his time with new employer UAE Team Emirates. However, with events as they were on the final stage, his last chance of a win was denied from early in the day.
Dan Martin UAE Team Emirates debut in Algarve
Dan Martin has not had the debut ride he had hoped for at the Volta ao Algarve for new squad UAE Team Emirates.
The final stage today featured a cat 2 summit finish at the end of 173.5km from Faro to Malhão-Loulé.
And while it looked like a day that could suit the Irishman, a large group went clear and stayed away.
Some 31 riders rode away just 15km into the stage. Michał Kwiatwkowski (Team Sky) was 2nd overall this morning behind team mate Geraint Thomas and made the front group.
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As a result, the usual chase from the yellow jersey team did not apply.
The lead group split with 40km still to race. And while Kwiatkowski was not among the early attacks from the large escape, he got back to the front of the race on the final climb.
And with about 1.5km to go he was too strong for those he was with and rode home solo to win the stage and overall.
He had also claimed the stage 2 summit finish on which Dan Martin was 4th. However, Martin lost over two minutes in the TT the next day to then race leader and stage winner Thomas.
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When yesterday came down to a bunch sprint it meant today was the final opportunity for Dan Martin to try and take a stage.
In the end he missed the move and had to be content with 20th place.
Martin would climb two places up the general standings today; from 16th to 14th.
The Irish rider had won stage 2 of this race last year and held the yellow jersey, which he lost in the TT.
He would have loved to get his time with UAE Team Emirates off to similar start.
However, 12 months ago he had already raced the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana. This year he was making his season debut in Volta ao Algarve and said he was lacking some race fitness.
A better indication of his form after the winter will likely come in his next races.
Ryan Mullen TT mechanical
The only other Irishman in the Portuguese race; Ryan Mullen (Trek-Segafredo) finished in 117th today, some 10:08 down.
He had gone into the race looking to impress in the 20.3km stage 3 TT. However, he punctured not long after the start.
That effectively ended his chances of a top result and he had to be content with 24th; some 1:21 down on winner Thomas.
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