First-year Irish professional Daniel Martin finished a solid 24th in yesterday’s opening prologue of the Tour of Portugal.
The Garmin Chipotle rider, not noted for his time trial skills, covered the 6.4km distance in a time 24 seconds slower than leader Ruben Plaza of Benfica.
Hector Guerra Garcia (Liberty Seguros) and Marcel Wyss (Scott - American Beef) were second and third.
Martin's squad was best in the team's ranking, and the Irish road race champion was fifth in the best young rider classification. His prologue performance suggests he is in strong form heading into the 12-day, 2.HC-ranked event.
He won the Route du Sud and the Irish national title in June and he will be targeting a strong ride in Portugal, while also fine-tuning his form in advance of the Tour of Ireland, which begins on 27 August.
The Portuguese race continues today with a lumpy 198.6km road race from Portimão to Beja.
