Dan Martin looked relaxed on his first race of the new season and his debut ride for UAE Team Emirates. His first big test has already arrived; no gentle introductions for the top riders.
No fewer than five Irish pro riders were in action in the pro peloton today; in Europe and the Middle East.
With two sprint finishes in Europe and an uphill kick to the line in Oman; the Irish had uneventful days.
However, that may be all about to change before the week is over.
Tour of Oman
Nicolas Roche and Conor Dunne had the toughest day in the saddle, with an uphill finish at the Tour of Oman splitting the field.
A 16-man group finished intact at the head off affairs just ahead of what remained of the peloton.
Advertisement
At the front of the lead group, claiming the stage and race lead, was Nathan Haas (Katusha-Alpecin).
The Australian took a very strong victory from Olympic champion Greg Van Avermaet (BMC Racing). Alexey Lutsenko (Astana) was third.
The lead group finished 38 seconds ahead of what was left the main field; some 22 riders to be exact.
Nicolas Roche was in there; taking 38th on the day. Aqua Blue Sport’s Conor Dunne was further back; in 87th at 5:14.
Volta ao Algarve
Related News
Dan Martin and Ryan Mullen both finished in the main field on the opening stage, which came down to a bunch sprint.
Dylan Groenewegen (LottoNL-Jumbo) won into Lagos from Arnaud Démare (FDJ) and Hugo Hofstetter (Cofidis).
UAE Team Emirates rider, and overall contender, Dan Martin placed 47th while Ryan Mullen (Trek-Segafredo) was 40th after almost five hours of racing.
The summit finish tomorrow looks tailor-made for Martin. Indeed he won the stage and took the race lead on the same climb last year.
Mullen will look to get through that as best he can; the stage 3 TT on Friday his main goal.
Ryan Mullen, second from camera, biding his time on today's opener in Portugal
Ruta del Sol
Philip Deignan is the only Irish rider in the race and is part of the same Team Sky line-up as under pressure Chris Froome.
Today’s opening stage ended in a bunch sprint won by Thomas Boudat (Direct Energie).
Sacha Modolo (EF Education First-Drapac) though he had claimed victory, and the leader’s jersey. But his victory salute was premature and Boudat took him on the line.
Deignan, who is in Spain to ride for Froome, finished in 61st on the same time as the winner.
Philip Deignan, Team Sky rider on the right, on the front of the bunch as the race rolls out in Spain.
Topics
