Eddie Dunbar in World Championships action for Ireland as a junior. He is a hugely strong rider but expectations of a top placing in the U23 road race in Richmond need to be kept in check (Photo: Sean Rowe)
Eddie Dunbar may well go on to become a top professional rider but success at U23 level at the World Championships takes time, if it comes at all, writes Paddy Doran of Peak Endurance Coaching.
It has been an exciting but so far disappointing World Road Championships for Ireland.
Could the lack of results produce more expectation than necessary for a big result from Eddie Dunbar in Friday’s U23 road race?
Possible medallists Michael O‘Loughlin and Ryan Mullen have been unfortunate in their respective junior and U23 time trials.
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O’Loughlin was 8th in the junior TT at last year’s Worlds and Mullen 2nd in the U23 test.
However, mechanicals and poor weather impacted their performances and results earlier this week.
Hopefully both will go on to great cycling careers and they will view this week’s disappointments as a minor part of their overall careers.
Expectations for Eddie Dunbar
Dunbar has proven himself an exceptional cyclist on many occasions, with some great and exciting performances.
He was very dominant at home while a junior and since progressing to the full-time ranks with NFTO Pro Cycling this year he has ridden very well in the UK and at the U23 Nations Cup abroad.
His first Worlds road race at U23 level is a great opportunity to consolidate his growing reputation.
It will also be an important race in his development and progression in terms of confidence and self belief.
A lot of Irish cyclists have seen him close up in races but in very strong solo breakaway performances so they expect a lot from him.
Keeping things realistic
However, Friday’s race will have all the great U23 cyclists from around the world together in one race.
There will be well drilled teams with major back-up and race preparation.
Some of these riders will be the future Grand Tour and classic winners in the WorldTour ranks.
Dunbar might be one of them in time, but make no mistake this will be the best U23 field in the world.
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Dunbar will also be on his own in the race, with no Irish team mates to count on.
After the U23 national team failed to qualify for the race, the UCI made a place available to Ireland and Dunbar was selected.
In a race where the big strong national teams can very much dictate the action - especially in the vital final hour - anyone riding on their own has the odds stacked against them.
Time needed for success
It should be noted that Dunbar is a first year U23, and first years in this category generally do not win medals in the U23 Worlds road race.
Eddie is a young first year U23 as well, so unless he is on an exceptional day he is unlikely to medal.
The past results demonstrate quite clearly that first-year U23s don’t generally medal at the Worlds.
But it would be nice to be proven wrong. And, medals aside, Dunbar is well capable of putting in a very aggressive ride and getting plenty of exposure for himself.
U23 World Road Champs
(Names of first year U23 riders in bold. Birth year is printed after names.)
Road Race 2014
1 BYSTROM Sven Erik NOR1992
2 EWAN Caleb AUS1994
3 SKJERPING Kristoffer NOR1993
4 BENOOT Tiesj BEL 1994
5 ENGER Sondre Holst NOR1993
6 FILOSI Iuri ITA 1992
7 BOHORQUEZ SANCHEZ Hernando COL1992
8 DAVIDENOK Ilya KAZ1992
9 HERKLOTZ Silvio GER1994
10 VAN DER POEL Mathieu NED1995
Road Race 2013
1 MOHORIC Matej SLO 1994
2 131 MEINTJES Louis RSA1992
3 26 ENGER Sondre H NOR 1993
4 EWAN Caleb AUS 1994
5 SKUJINS Toms LAT 1991
6 VILLELLA Davide ITA 1991
7 VAN BAARLE Dylan NED 1992
8 HERKLOTZ Silvio GER 1994
9 ALAPHILIPPE Julian FRA 1992
10 KONRAD Patrick AUT 1991
Road Race 2012
1 LUTSENKO Alexey KAZ1992
2 COQUARD Bryan FRA1992
3 VAN ASBROECK Tom BEL1990
4 HOULE Hugo CAN1990
5 PIBERNIK Luka SLO1993
6 CHAVES RUBIO Jhoan Esteban COL1990
7 BOHORQUEZ SANCHEZ Hernando COL1992
8 VAN BILSEN Kenneth BEL1990
9 WIPPERT Wouter NED1990
10 BENNETT Sam IRL1990
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