Despite a recent illness, Dan Martin will be on the start line Friday for the three-day Tour des Alpes Maritimes et du Var. The Irishman had not raced since his success at last year's Vuelta a España, but will be competing in a tough three-day race in France after the recent cancellation of the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana.

Standing on the start line with Martin will be the debutants of the Israeli Startup Nation. Chris Froome will be absent to start the season on the UAE Tour, but the Israeli team has sent Michael Woods, Daryl Impey, Patrick Bevin, and Sepp Vanmarcke to join Martin. Complementing them are Krists Neilands and Hugo Hofstetter.

"I'm happy to finally be racing again," Martin said before Friday's first stage. This race was added to my calendar because the race in Spain was cancelled." This race was added to my calendar late because the race in Spain was cancelled."

"I had a good time working at home in Andorra and at the team camp in January with the great group of people we have assembled this year. The ISN camp is a very relaxed atmosphere, we have great conversation at dinner and everyone gets along well." Martin will be co-leading the Tour de France, but this will be his first time working with Woods, Bevin, and Impey. Vanmarcke, who also won a stage at the Tour des Alpes Maritimes et du Var two years ago, will lead the team's spring classic campaign.

As for the Tour des Alpes Maritimes et du Var, the three-day event may be short, but its testing terrain includes a summit finish on the first stage, and the iconic climb, the Madon de Gorbio pass, will feature on the final day of racing. 11 WorldTour teams entered, including Ineos Grenadier, Groupama FDJ, and Trek-Segafredo.

For Martin, one of his goals is to use the French race to build relationships with new team members, and while he is not putting much pressure on his shoulders regarding results, a stage win is the goal of the entire team.

"For most of the guys here it's the first race of the year and for most of them it's their first time racing together. But we have a super strong group of guys, so all I'm thinking about is our performance as a team." [Last week I got a little sick and had to take part in a scheduled recovery block. Of course, we're going for the stage win. Whether it's for me or for the other guys, I just want to enjoy the race and get some distance in before the World Tour race in March."