Eddie Dunbar is having a very good season for Axeon Hagens Berman and it could be about to get a whole lot better at the Tour of Alberta which starts tomorrow. The TT stage may suit him best (Photo: Stephen McMahon - Sportsfile)
By Brian Canty
The Tour of Alberta (UCI 2.1) in Canada will be well worth keeping a close eye on over the next five days as one Eddie Dunbar could do a very good GC ride.
The young Corkman, who turns 20 years old tomorrow is in the Axeon Hagens Berman seven-man line-up alongside Char Young, Americans Jonny Brown, Colin Joyce, Justin Oien, Phil O'Donnell and Tyler Williams.
There are five stages, beginning tomorrow in Lethbridge.
Crucially from Dunbar’s perspective is the penultimate time trial stage in Edmonton.
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It will be contested on standard road bikes without aerodynamic wheels and handlebars; a factor that will put pure testers out of their comfort zone a little.
“If I had to pick one stage that probably suits me most, it would be the time trial,” said U23 national TT champion Dunbar.
“I haven’t done a time trial since the nationals in June so it will be good to do one in Alberta.
“And with no time trial equipment allowed, I’m sure that will shake things up a bit more.”
Of course, the field is another who’s who of American cycling with Trek-Segafredo, Jelly Belly, Cannondale-Drapac and UnitedHealthcare sending strong teams.
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The stage starts and finishes are different from last year.
Instead of five road stages and a team time-trial there are four road stages and an individual time-trial.
It all plays perfectly into the hands of a rider who can climb very fast and Dunbar is one of a number in the field who can do that.
Bauke Mollema is the defending champion and he’s having a terrific season with victory in the Clasica San Sebastien and a superb Tour.
He should be there or thereabouts while Cannondale-Drapac have at least four riders who can challenge - but Dunbar could certainly push for a top 10 if he’s on form.
The opening stage is a short 106-kilometre circuit race which should see a large group come to the line.
Stage two has a steep but short climb halfway through with 100km flat and downhill to the finish.
The following day has more of the same; short and sharp climbing as opposed to the long 20-kilometre ascents of the Alps or Pyrenees.
Stage four is the time trial with a climb that goes up 70 metres so while that is no massive elevation gain it should still shake up the GC.
And the final day is another circuit race which shouldn’t trouble whoever is in yellow.
Dunbar’s team have had some excellent results this year and are sending at least three riders to the WorldTour so they will be marked.
And a result of some form this week would go a long way to helping Dunbar make the next step in pro cycling.
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