Eddie Dunbar believes a slipped chain in the final stages of Clásica Ciclista San Sebastián (1.UWT) today cost him a much higher finish.
In the end the Irishman was 15th, finishing on his own just 18 seconds off the chasing group sprinting for 2nd place behind lone winner Remco Evenepoel (Deceuninck-QuickStep).
Irishman Dunbar was just off the back of a group of about seven that formed over the top of the final climb with 9km to go.
The Team Ineos rider then made it across to that group with a number of other chasers.
However, rather than go on to the finish in that group to sprint for the placings, he went off the back of it after slipping his chain with 3km to go.
It was a frustrating end of him, but again the first-year WorldTour rider has shown world class ability on the biggest stage against the best riders in the world.
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“I was feeling good, the guys did a really good job today to make sure I was well hydrated and feeding well," Eddie Dunbar said.
Eddie Dunbar continued: "Castro (Jonathan Castroviejo) did a super job in the last 30km to ensure I was in the right place for the final climb.
“My legs were good, I was able to follow and then over the top of the climb I was distanced a bit on the false flat.
"So I held back a bit as I could see there were guys coming across. I could see Van Avermaet was coming across.
"And obviously he is a quite good descender so I thought he would get us back to the others and then I would be be all in for the sprint.
"But with 3km to go my chain came off, which is unfortunate, but it’s one of those things.
“I feel like I could have crept into the top 10, but it is what it is, it’s a race that I like, it’s my first time doing it and I hope to come back next year."
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