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Eddie Dunbar lives on cloud nine after excellent victory: "Times like this don't come around often"
CyclingSaturday, 07 September 2024 at 19:03
Eddie Dunbar put the icing on the cake of a rock-solid Vuelta a España on Saturday. The Irish climber from Jayco-AlUla won the queen stage from the group of favorites, finishing on the steep Picón Blanco. Earlier, Dunbar had already won the 11th stage from the leading group.
"This one is a lot nicer," Dunbar appropriately rated his victory in the queen stage higher than his first stage win afterward. "I said several times after last time that I never thought I could win a stage in a big tour. I always dreamed of winning a stage with an uphill finish, whether from the breakaway or the group with GC riders. I just felt good in the final and took my chance. Moreover, I divided my effort very well."
Read more below the photo.
Eddie Dunbar earlier won stage 11 from the lead group.
Dunbar knew the final climb and did not want to speak of real breakthrough
The Picón Blanco was not an unknown territory for Dunbar. "I knew the climb from a few years ago, from the Tour of Burgos. I knew the climb was quite erratic. On the steep sections, I raced hard while approaching the flat sections more conservatively so I had enough energy left." That Dunbar could stay ahead of top favorites such as Primoz Roglic and Enric Mas can be called highly clever. How did he handle it tactically? "I kept my strength on the second-to-last climb dry. After all, with the Picón Blanco ahead, there was no point in wasting strength. I knew I would get some leeway on the final climb because I was 12 minutes in the GC. So they gave me some margin, but I'm just super happy I could finish," Dunbar said.
Despite celebrating his greatest successes in recent weeks, Dunbar wants to refrain from speaking of a real breakthrough. "I've had good times, also not-so-good times; that's just part of life. I learned that during my career. Times like this don't happen often. I look forward to celebrating these successes with family and friends," concluded Dunbar, who moved up two more GC spots to place 11.
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Latest Comments
- Well explained, thanks for the clarity! Daniel DantasDanieldantas20-12-2024
- This is the kind of 'news' that belongs in a cheap tabloid. No matter how boring the offseason gets, nobody wants to read this.
santiagobenites19-12-2024 - I wish we could have seen him try. He'd absolutely get dropped before Pogi overtakes his domestiquesVeganpotter10-12-2024
- Talk is cheap! Next year barring crashes with a healthy team... all well be on track! Some need to talk to make a headline!mootman27-11-2024
- I do not see this event listed on HBO Max Sports Online? Can anyone confirm? Thanks!
MrYuck23-11-2024 - It seemed that he was focusing forward at the time of the crash, after seeing a quick video snippet. But one thing I think he should focus on more intently is breaking a bad habit he has, right now. And that is his constant looking over his shoulders. He does that so much, that I am very sure it is not good for him. Simply watch videos of the greats of CX and you will see very little of that constant looking over their shoulders. That is a behavior that betrays a bit of insecurity on his part. He shouldn't be so concerned, incessantly, about what is over his shoulder. He needn't worry they didn't all disappear. He neds to keep his focus more ahead of himself, and he needs to pay a bit more attention to himself, in a confident manner. It is very frustrating to watch, because it is apparent that he has a lot of potential, and is in much better shape thwan many of his competitors, but the mental game needs to be sharpened more, because that part of strategy plays a huge part in the final results
reemmo022-11-2024 - hahahaha love this shit! I didnt even watched the race, but reading all the gossip articles of how stupid this is!Zatoichi19-11-2024
- Van Aert is really handsome. He can influence me all day! Ditto for Philipsen. Why do you think many of us love cycling?: to see heroic attempts at climbing mountains at high altitudes or to watch speedsters sprint for the finish line or to watch a human being ride at break neck speed down a tricky descent? No, it's all about their lean physiques and muscular legs. (apologies for objectifying these dedicated and amazing athletes).BarwonHeadsUp25-10-2024
- It is unfortunate that the author can't feel the joy that Pogacar brings to the sport and his fans who are legion and I for one feel lucky to have watched such a memorable performance and historic season From the Strada until yesterday with multiple wins in stages in both tours and beyond dominance in the World's. He is proud to wear the Rainbow stripes, shows his leadership to protect his fellows and is as courteous and sportsman-like as the sport allows. He goes early to not have to respond to each attack as all the rest would make him do it. Any racer who could would do the same. Don't "grow tired" of greatness as it is always fleeting.ccrider13-10-2024
- What load of rubbish. Pog is likely a once in a generation cyclist, the like of which hasn't been seen since 'the Cannibal '. How many people were complaining that Merckx was making racing predictable? I remember this year's World RR as one of the most exciting I've watched. Mainly BECAUSE Pog was the favourite and launched what everyone thought (Pog included) was a suicidal attack with 80km to go. For the next 2 hours, I was on the edge of my seat thinking "this is too much, even for Pog". Maybe Zonnefeld prefers the snooze-fest that is a bunch sprint? Like most people I know, I can't watch two hours of the bunch riding very fast... I wait for the final 5km and watch just the sprint. In any event, most races are won from a sprint or lone break. What difference does it make who makes the lone break? Ultimately, the other contenders will have to figure out a way to beat Pog. Even if that means collaboration between teams. It's going to be an exciting few seasons, until the next Pog arrives on the scene. If this is boring, heaven knows what exciting looks like!Michael513-10-2024