Irish team manager David McCann has praised the performance of Eddie Dunbar today for the way he rode. The young Corkman kept his powder dry until the category one climb of Mount Leinster before breaking clear in the race-winning move (Photo: Sean Rowe)
By Brian Canty
Irish national team manager David McCann has praised the performance of Eddie Dunbar after the teenager took the biggest win of his career with victory on stage seven of the An Post Rás today.
McCann said Dunbar was sprinting on “pure motivation and wasn’t going to be beaten today”.
It’s a result made all the more impressive given the fact Dunbar was up the road for over 100 kilometres on yesterday’s sixth stage, only to be caught by a front group of 42 riders en route to Dungarvan.
Advertisement
“I’m hugely pleased for Eddie and all the team who worked hard for this win,” said McCann.
Dunbar is congratulated by team mates Chris McGlinchey and Ronan McLaughlin in Baltinglass (Photo: Sean Rowe)
Related News
“The stage went exactly as we expected with a lot of ‘softening up racing’ before the real selection was made on Mount Leinster.
“We knew the Australians would be good, but they were very good in placing three riders in the lead group along with Fankhauser and Dunbar.”
That five worked hard but very well in the final 50 kilometres to stay away and McCann said Dunbar rode a textbook race in that final hour or so.
A very happy Eddie Dunbar chats to the media after the biggest win of his career and his first in a UCI-ranked race (Photo: Sean Rowe)
“Being outnumbered meant Eddie had his work cut out but he kept his cool and rode very intelligently to secure both the stage win and fourth place on General classification. It was fantastic day for us.
“It was a very honest breakaway with the Australians, Clement (Fankheuser) and Eddie all sharing the pace.
“Coming in to the line I think Eddie was sprinting on pure motivation and he wasn't going to be beaten today.”
He still trails the yellow jersey by 19 seconds on general classification but McCann believes there could be a twist yet.
“Normally, very little changes on the last day but we will not miss any opportunities that present themselves,” he said.
Topics
