'I thought I might not have a future in the sport' - Eddie Dunbar savours Vuelta a España stage win, and good luck at last
Jayco AlUla's Irishman has endured a difficult year but is now higher than he ever has been in the sport
Eddie Dunbar appeared to not be able to believe he had done it, won, as he crossed the line of stage 11 of the Vuelta a España. The Jayco AlUla rider embraced his soigneur, then his teammate Filippo Zana, before putting his head back in his hands. His attack surprised everyone at the front of the race, but also seemingly surprised himself too.
Dunbar has had a difficult year and a half. He finished seventh at the 2023 Giro d'Italia, but the result might have been even better had he not fallen ill late in the race; he also came into the race undercooked due to a crash and required surgery in February that year.
The Irishman then crashed at the Tour of Poland in August 2023, dislocating his shoulder. Then, after a series of crashes at the Vuelta a España last year, he was forced to withdraw from the race ahead of stage five.
This year, he crashed at the Volta a la Communitat Valenciana, then at the UAE Tour, before leaving the Tour de Romandie early. Then he crashed out of this year's Giro. It has not been an ideal time.
However, on Wednesday, he finally got his luck, winning stage 11, his first Grand Tour stage win, and his first WorldTour win at that. It was a repayment for all those that kept the faith in him, but also, crucially, a bit of luck at last.
Looking at the group which entered the final kilometre together, there were more obvious picks to win, but Dunbar took his opportunity with both hands, and now can call himself a winner. Perhaps this means and end to the bad luck.
"It’s incredible," he said on TV post-race. "Since the Vuelta last year I think I’ve had seven or eight crashes. Physically that takes its toll, but also mentally that takes it toll on me as well. I’ve had numerous times in my head that I might not have a future in the sport because of the crashes and the injuries.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
"This year after the Giro when I injured my ACL I thought that was… I thought that could be the nail in the coffin in terms of my cycling career. I had incredible support around me. My girlfriend Niamh supported me, she’s always there for me. I have an incredible group of family and friends, and the team backed me. It has been a long time coming, but to repay all of them today, it means a lot."
With a first win at the top level, a team which clearly still believes in him, and time on his side, it could be a new era for Dunbar. As Jayco AlUla posted on X (formerly known as Twitter): "We never stopped believing." Clearly, neither did Dunbar.
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Adam is Cycling Weekly’s news editor – his greatest love is road racing but as long as he is cycling, he's happy. Before joining CW in 2021 he spent two years writing for Procycling. He's usually out and about on the roads of Bristol and its surrounds.
Before cycling took over his professional life, he covered ecclesiastical matters at the world’s largest Anglican newspaper and politics at Business Insider. Don't ask how that is related to riding bikes.
-
Knog Blinder 1300 review - excellent visibility for you and other road users
Solid performance, great mounting options and a respectable price point make the Blinder a great competitor for long nights this winter
By Joe Baker Published
-
Everything you want to know about the Q Factor
What it is and why it matters, how to measure it, what the Q stands for, and more
By Tyler Boucher Published