{"id":7163,"date":"2024-08-29T18:02:23","date_gmt":"2024-08-29T16:02:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.welovecycling.com\/uk\/?p=7163"},"modified":"2024-09-12T18:07:52","modified_gmt":"2024-09-12T16:07:52","slug":"dunbar-on-vuelta-stage-win-i-gambled-and-backed-my-finish","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.welovecycling.com\/uk\/2024\/08\/29\/dunbar-on-vuelta-stage-win-i-gambled-and-backed-my-finish\/","title":{"rendered":"Dunbar on Vuelta Stage Win: \u201cI gambled and backed my finish\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"

Eddie Dunbar clinched a stunning victory in stage 11 of the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a, making a daring move in the final kilometre to secure his first-ever Grand Tour stage win. The Jayco-AlUla cyclist broke away from the lead group just before the finish, leaving his competitors behind. Despite his relatively small build, Dunbar maintained his lead over the more robust riders. Quinten Hermans of Alpecin-Deceuninck took second place, and Max Poole of DSM-Firmenich PostNL rounded out the podium in third.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Reflecting on his unexpected victory, Dunbar shared, “It\u2019s weird how it goes sometimes. I had a really bad start to the race, lost a lot of time, and came here to ride GC. I learned pretty quickly that I didn\u2019t have the legs for that. My preparation was good, so it was time to reassess and target a stage win. Today was that opportunity. I didn\u2019t expect it; I thought my legs were gone after trying to get into the break early on. Then, all of a sudden, a big break went. Me and Pippo [Filippo Zana] rode very well; we were really smart, and here we are. I actually can\u2019t believe it.<\/p>\n

“Since the Vuelta last year I think I\u2019ve had seven or eight crashes. Physically that takes its toll, but also mentally that takes it toll on me as well. I\u2019ve had numerous times in my head that I might not have a future in the sport because of the crashes and the injuries.\u00a0This year after the Giro when I injured my ACL I thought that was\u2026 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\u2019s 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.”<\/p>\n

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\ud83d\udcf8 A selection of the best photos from stage 11!<\/p>\n

\ud83d\ude0d\u00a1Aqu\u00ed ten\u00e9is las mejores fotos de la etapa 11 !<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcf2 M\u00e1s fotos \/ More photos on https:\/\/t.co\/rCn67bhPvE<\/a>#LaVuelta24<\/a> – \ud83d\udcf8 @cxcling<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/JRWUmadE8v<\/a><\/p>\n

— La Vuelta (@lavuelta) August 28, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n