Cycling-Ireland's Dunbar wins 11th stage of Vuelta after late attack (updated)

Deceuninck NV

28/08/2024 17:36

(Adds quotes and details)
       Aug 28 (Reuters) - Irishman Eddie Dunbar won the 11th
stage of the Vuelta a Espana on Wednesday, mounting a well-timed
attack in the last kilometre and fending off his chasers to
triumph in the mountains around Padron.
    The win marked the first major victory in a Grand Tour for
the 27-year-old Jayco AlUla rider.
    "It's been a while since I've been in a scenario like this
if I'm honest and I just used my experience," Dunbar said.
        "I was suffering a bit on the big climb. I just played
my cards and said I'd gamble and back my finish."
  
    When Dunbar accelerated ahead of the lead group, no one
could keep up. Despite the Irishman’s small build, he
successfully fended off the more powerful riders from the day's
breakaway.
    "It's incredible. Since the Vuelta last year, I think I’ve
had seven or eight crashes. And of course, physically that takes
its toll, but also mentally," Dunbar added.
        "I thought numerous times that I might not have a future
in the sport, because of the crashes and the injuries I’ve had."
  
    Dunbar triumphed over Belgian Quinten Hermans of
Alpecin-Deceuninck, who took second place, and Britain's Max
Poole from Team DSM-Firmenich PostNL, who finished third.
        Australia's Ben O'Connor, the overall leader, had a
challenging day, finishing in 42nd place. Slovenia's Primoz
Roglic cut his rival's lead by 37 seconds, reducing the gap to
three minutes and 16 seconds.
  
        "It was a steep finish and there’s quite a few guys that
were super strong today. It’s not the worst-case scenario,"
O'Connor said.
  
        "I’ve had better days and that’s the story of La Vuelta
for myself so far, good day, average day, good day, average
day... Hopefully I can change that and be good every day."
  

 (Reporting by Tommy Lund in Gdansk; editing by Clare Fallon)
 ((TommyAlexander.Lund@thomsonreuters.com;))