Eddie Dunbar is set to return to the Giro d’Italia in May and says he is physically and mentally ready for another big season.
The Irish
climber, who is still aged just 23 years, moved from Ireland to Monaco over the
winter and has been training under Tim Kerrison in the principality.
“After the move
I’ve been really focused on training for the last four or five weeks,” he said.
“I’m feeling good
and I’ve come out of the off-season well recovered and mentally refreshed,
ready for another year of full-tilt racing.
“Having Tim over
here in Monaco, it made sense to have him overlook my training. We have daily
contact and he can see me every day on the bike.
“That helps him and it helps me too with feedback. It’s been really good and there’s a good group of us here. Being around the guys helps me get to know them even better. It makes a big difference.”
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Dunbar rode for a
Team Sky, as it was then, at the end of 2018 after the collapse of Aqua Blue
Sport.
He had a very
strong season in 2019, his first full year with the team and is now starting a
new three-year contract.
The Irish cyclist
is now more familiar with the team and as he is training closely under Kerrison
he sounds eager to get going at the Tour de la Provence next week; a race he
impressed in last year on his way to 7th.
“I felt like I
was one of the strongest riders in the race last year. I was frustrated not to
come away with a better result from that race with the legs I had,” he said.
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“But the fact I
was able to be there, compete at the pointy end of the race and still be strong
was good.
“The course this
year is a bit harder with a bit more climbing which is good, so I’m looking
forward to going back there.
“It’s a nice way
to start your season. The stages aren’t a crazy length but it’s good hard
racing.
“You’ve got your
flat stages, your Ardennes-style tests and then the one mountaintop finish on
Mont Ventoux.
“It’s certainly
an interesting race and it’s a good place to test your legs, set yourself up
for the season and see where you’re at.”
The Team Ineos
line-up in the race also includes Pavel Sivakov and Gianni Moscon as well as
Dunbar and any of those three could lead the team on the road.
“This year going
into the race with a co-leadership race is nice. There’s obviously Pavel and
Gianni there,” he said.
“So we’ve got
some strong climbers in the group and then Chris there for the flatter days. We’ve
also got three really strong riders in Doull, Stannard and Golas for experience
and helping us during the race.
“We’ll all help
each other at some point and no matter which of us it is, hopefully we can come
out of it with a good result.
“Starting the
year I’m set to head to UAE Tour after Provence. My programme for March is
still not set in stone but April should be all about the Ardennes, followed by
the Giro in May.
“That’s what I’ll
be working towards – and I’ve got a bit more notice for the Giro this year.
That helps and we’ll work towards that. It all starts next week.”
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