Sam Bennett remains on top of the points rankings at the Vuelta Espana despite finishing in 171st place at the fifth stage in Bilbao.
Bennett has already won back-to-back stages and still holds a nine-point lead over Danish cyclist Mads Pedersen.
The Carrick-on-Suir man, who's not expected to feature at the head of proceedings as the race enters the mountains this week, finished 12 places behind compatriot and team-mate Ryan Mullen.
Team UAE Emirates’ rider Marc Soler gave the home supporters something to shout about by winning the fifth stage. South Africa’s Daryl Impey was second while British cyclist Fred Wright was third.
Frenchman Rudy Molard seized the leaders red jersey after a mountainous 187.2km ride from Irun to Bilbao.
Defending champion Primoz Roglic had taken the red jersey on Tuesday but finished back in the peloton and is now fifth, four minutes and nine seconds off the lead.
