Video - Was Seth Dunwoody's latest race most unusual of season?

Seth Dunwoody had a job to do on what was perhaps the most unusual road race of the season (Photo: CA Photographies)

Seth Dunwoody (Bahrain Victorious Development Team) has been in action this evening in the opening stage, of four, at Oberösterreich Rundfahrt (2.2) in Austria.

Anyone taking a quick glance at the result, and the parcours, would have assumed it was a short and sharp uphill TT to get the race started. But they'd be wrong.

Though the event was only 4.3km in length, and was uphill for the last 3.3km - averaging just over 7 per cent gradient - it was actually a road race.

The race, which took the winner less than nine minutes, was surely the shortest and most unusual road race of the year on the UCI calendar.

Dunwoody was called upon to work for the team and it paid off as his Finnish team mate, Kasper Borremans (19), raced to a 4th place finish. He was among seven riders nine seconds down on winner, Henrique Bravo (Soudal Quick-Step Devo Team).

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The aptly named Brazilian won the race solo by 5 seconds from Gavin Sherry, who is riding for the United States national team.

After working for his team, Dunwoody finished towards the back end of the field, in 137th at 4:22, having played his role and then pulled the plug.

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The next three stages - conventional road races - have no shortage of short and sharp climbs. But it is terrain that can suit the Irishman, especially tomorrow's stage 2.

It takes the riders 187.6km from Eferding to Reichersberg. And though it is not without its challenges, it is one where Dunwoody may be at the front and sprinting for the stage win.

The hardest climb is the 8.8km cat 1, averaging 4 per cent, that effectively begins from the start line. Anyone distanced there should have plenty of time to get back on.

And though the remaining two climbs are much shorter - 2km and 1km - they are steeper. But both come in the first half of the stage, which is good news for any of the fast men who may get it rough.

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