Eddie Dunbar did what he does best today, going up the road and attacking the race from the front. So often criticised for being too aggressive, his approach paid a handsome dividend on stage two of the Volta ao Alentejo as he sits fifth on GC with three stages to go.
By Brian Canty
Eddie Dunbar produced another trademark breakaway effort today, this time on stage two of the Volta ao Alentejo in Portugal.
The Irish national U23 time-trial champion was aggressive throughout the 171-kilometre stage, as were his team who filled the breaks all afternoon.
Indeed, it was from a large group of 19 that Dunbar escaped, leaving behind two teammates Will Barta and Christopher Lawless but slipping away with two others.
And with time bonuses at the top of the day’s three climbs Dunbar knew he could move up the general classification if he took some.
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The break didn’t get away until 70 kilometres in and by that point there were only two climbs left, with Dunbar collecting three points and valuable seconds for his troubles.
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“I am trying to give myself the best opportunity to get a result,” Dunbar said.
“The courses are pretty flat for the next few days and I am hoping the wind will be a decisive factor.
"I went for a few time bonuses, but did not expect to get in a breakaway for 80 kilometres.
“I managed to get a couple seconds that moved me up to fifth, so that was good.
“At one point, I asked about sitting up to save my energy but my sport director (Koos Moerenhout) said you never know how it will go. So I stayed up there.”
With three stages remaining, Dunbar is 11 seconds off the lead. Teammate Jhonatan Narvaez, the Ecuadorian Under 23 national time trial champion, is 13th overall and a further two seconds back.
Carlos Barbero (Movistar) leads yesterday’s opening stage winner Rinaldo Nocentini (Sporting Clube de Portugal-Tavira) by three seconds.
Eduard Prades (Caja Rural-Seguros RGA) is third, seven seconds back.
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