Irish rider Conor Dunne in the breakaway at the Worlds in Bergen, before his race was cut short and he was denied the opportunity to finish the job. He had been clear with Sean McKenna in a breakaway for the best part of 200km (All photos by Sean Rowe)
Having been in the breakaway for the guts of 200km, Conor Dunne's Worlds were cut short in Bergen.
The Irish rider and those he was with were not permitted to go out onto the course for the final lap. Instead they were pulled out of the race.
It meant Dunne didn't get to finish the event he had made such a big contribution to.
In international events held on circuits, riders who have fallen a long way behind are taken off the course. The measure is based on safety and so riders don't get lapped.
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However, with the circuit in Bergen just over 19km and Conor Dunne having reached the point were being lapped was impossible, he was still stopped from carrying on.
He was clearly disappointed he didn't get to finish, especially having animated the Bergen race. The fact just one lap remained meant he could have easily been allowed carry on.
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And when he was caught with about 80km remaining, he even assisted Dan Martin into a better position.
It was a great ride by the Aqua Blue Sport man, who also went on the attack at the Worlds in Richmond two years ago.
“I was a shame not to finish actually. They brought us out with a lap to go; why? We’re not going to get in the way,” he said.
"It doesn’t really matter. It was nice to be up there; a nice way to finish the season.
“I felt really good today," added Conor Dunne, who finished his first ever Grand Tour, La Vuelta, earlier this month.
Once in the breakaway he said he kept working and was pleased to be out front.
"It was a shame we couldn’t go a bit further," he said of the escape being caught with just over four laps remaining.
"We got brought back a couple of laps earlier than I hoped. I was hoping to stay for another couple of laps more. And then get in one of those groups that went away.
“Once you get in the break you are pretty shot and it’s hard to stay in (the bunch when caught).
"I stayed in for a couple of laps and then just got popped on the climb. I was at the back and everyone just sat up.”
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