Dan Martin will make his 2018 season debut this week at the Volta ao Algarve em Bicicleta (2.HC) which starts on Wednesday. It will also mark his first competitive outing in UAE Team Emirates colours and the Irishman is looking forward to competing again.
“Going into Volta ao Algarve I have a mixture of nerves and excitement,” confirmed Martin. “There is always anxiety to get back to racing and find out where the fitness levels are, but I feel good and have trained well in the winter months, but racing is of course always different.
“It’s exciting to finally pin a number on the UAE Team Emirates jersey and start racing with a great group of guys. Of course it will take time to learn how to race well together but we already did two nice training camps with lots of laughs and getting to know each other. We have a very strong team coming to Algarve so I can’t wait to get started.”
The six riders who will line up alongside Martin for the Portuguese stage race are also making their season debut with Rory Sutherland also riding his first race for his new team. Also included in the line-up are Valerio Conti (Italy), Vegard Stake Laengen (Norway), Jan Polanc (Slovenia), Edward Ravasi (Italy) and Ben Swift (Great Britain).
The race is being held from 14 to 18 February.
UAE Team Emirates for Volta ao Algarve em Bicicleta (2.HC)
– Valerio Conti (Italy)
– Vegard Stake Laengen (Norway)
– Daniel Martin (Ireland)
– Jan Polanc (Slovenia)
– Edward Ravasi (Italy)
– Rory Sutherland (Australia)
– Ben Swift (Great Britain)
