Dan Martin poised to strike for leader's jersey after moving into second at Vuelta a Espana

The Irish rider was third across the line again after another superb performance

Movistar's Marc Soler celebrates after winning the second stage of La Vuelta between Pamplona and Lekunberri. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)

Ireland’s Dan Martin is poised to strike for the race leader’s red jersey at the Vuelta a Espana on Thursday as he sits just nine seconds behind Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma) in second place.

The Israel Start-Up Nation team leader heads into stage three buoyed by two superb performances on the opening couple of days where he was third across the line on both occasions.