Dan Martin (Israel Startup Nation) survived his most difficult and grueling day to date to maintain his podium chances on stage 6 of the Vuelta a España.

In a formidable finish on Formigal in the pouring rain, the Irishman used all of his climbing ability and experience to close the gap on several key rivals, dropping race leader Primoš Roglic (Jumbo Visma) on the final climb to win the breakaway! He finished 18th, 1:23 behind Ion Izaguirre (Astana).

Martin was joined in the last few kilometers by Roglic, Esteban Chavez (Mitchelton-Scott), and Enric Mas (Movistar) in an elite formed a group. With 1km to go, Martin accelerated away from Roglic, Chavez, and Mas. With 1km to go, Martín pulled away from Roglic, Chávez, and Mas, finishing 15 seconds ahead of them.

Caparaz moved up from third to first overall, and Kersee, who dropped Calapaz in the final stages of the race, passed Martín to take second overall. The race will have its first rest day on Monday. Roglic, the Tour de France runner-up, is in fourth place, 30 seconds back.

For Martin, who has already scored a stage win and appears to be in the best shape he has been in in years, this result was both positive and negative, but given his position during the Tour, the 34-year-old will feel more than satisfied with his race after six days of competition He must be more than satisfied with his race after six days of competition. Given the track conditions and his past problems in the cold and rain, it is no surprise that Martin leaned toward the more pleasing aspects of his performance.

"When I looked at the weather today, I was able to focus more because the stages were trickier. I was more focused because the downhills and the cold increase the possibility of mistakes and time loss.

"I felt good on the last climb, but the more I climbed the colder it got and the more I couldn't move. I had to run as fast as I could to the finish line. Kalapaz and Kersee were really good and obviously handled the conditions better than I did. It was an incredibly tough week of aggressive racing.

"The guys did everything they could for me again. I couldn't have asked for more and the confidence of the team keeps me going. I want to enjoy the rest day, but I will take it one day at a time and try not to lose focus," Martin said.

After a rest day on Monday, the Vuelta a España continues with a tough stage to Villanueva de Valdegovia.