Dan Martin dug deep to produce a podium finish on stage 8 of the Vuelta a Espana to stay in contention on general classification.
The Team Israel Start-Up Nation rider came home third, 19-seconds behind stage winner Primoz Roglic (Team Jumbo-Visma) and the red jersey-wearer, Richard Carapaz (Ineos Grenadiers).
Martin collected four precious bonus seconds that returns him to third on general classification, 28-seconds off the lead of Carapaz.
But it was Roglic's day, as he reminded everyone on the day's final climb of his Grand Tour abilities.
A huge win for Primoz Roglic! 👏
He makes up valuable seconds against Richard Carapaz with a fine late attack!
🇪🇸 #LaVuelta
📺 Eurosport 1
📱💻 Uninterrupted coverage: https://t.co/55IEZYJRlR pic.twitter.com/2UXrbTmqbk— Eurosport (@eurosport) October 28, 2020
The final 10km to Alto de Moncalvillo was played on inclines of 10 and 11%, with threats to race supremacy snuffed out along the way.
EF Pro Cycling's Hugh Carthy was among the first to point their nose for home, and for a while it looked as if Russia's Aleksandr Vlasov (Astana) would claim the stage.
But in the end it was left to Roglic and Carapaz to battle head-to-head for the stage win, with Martin an interested spectator just behind.
The Irish rider occasionally showed flashes that he might burst through, but such was the strength of the top two, he was left battling with Vlasov for the bonus seconds.
Roglic - denied Tour de France victory on the penultimate stage of this year's race - appears determined to avoid similar disappointment in Spain.
His charge to the line saw him end the day a measly 13-seconds behind Carapaz.
A pair of flat stages, built for the sprinters, will lead the peloton into Sunday's imposing 12th stage which culminates on the Alto de L'Angliru.
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