Dan Martin: ‘I said I would stop cycling when I stopped enjoying it’

He might have never won a Grand Tour like a Tour de France, a Giro d'Italia, or a Vuelta A Espana, but he is one of just three Irish riders to have claimed stages in each. Not even Sean Kelly or Martin’s uncle Stephen Roche managed such a feat

Dan Martin winning the 17th stage of last year’s Giro d’Italia. He is having a much nicer relaxing winter after retiring from the sport.  Picture: Dario Belingheri /AFP via Getty Images

He was true to his word in the end; leaving the sport as soon as he stopped enjoying it.

I first sat down for an interview with Dan Martin in 2011 when the then 25-year old just one of a smattering of English-speaking ex-pats living in the Catalan city of Girona which has become a hub for many of the world’s best athletes.