Eddie Dunbar was on the attack in one of Britain's biggest early season races; second from left in what would prove to be the winning escape (Photo: VeloUK.net)
The star of the Irish junior scene last year, Eddie Dunbar has wasted no time in making his mark on the UK circuit with new Continental-ranked team NFTO.
The talented teenager took 3rd today in the Severn Bridge Road Race and may have done much better had he not found himself being worked over in a three-man breakaway by two members of the One Pro Cycling team.
The race was run off on a hilly circuit covered 10 times, with Dunbar in characteristically aggressive mood.
He would eventually move clear with team mates George Harper and Yanto Barker. And after they used their numerical supremacy against the young Irishman, he was forced to settle for the final place on the podium.
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Harper won the three-up sprint, with Barker in the runner-up slot just ahead of the very promising Dunbar.
Harper takes the victory from team mate Barker and Ireland's Dunbar, obscured in this shot (Photo: VeloUK.net)
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Dunbar was very quick out of the traps, pulling clear early on with Harper for a lap before being recaptured and then moving clear into another two-man move, this time with Barker.
They were clear on their own for a number of laps before being joined by Harper and Will Bjergfelt (SportGrub KUOTA Cycling Team) to make four up front.
Behind a chase group formed compromised of Dunbar’s two team mates Rhys Lloyd and Rob Partridge and 2013 An Post Rás winner Marcin Bialoblocki of ONE Pro Cycling.
Up the main climb on the course the final team and the leading trio were still clear, with Dunbar’s fellow escapees now working him over.
Barker put in a very strong dig, though Dunbar closed him down with Harper in his wheel.
And with the two experienced British riders unable to shake off Dunbar, the honours came down to a three man sprint.
Severn Bridge Road Race (100km)
Sunday, March 1st: Bristol, UK
1. George Harper (ONE Pro Cycling)
2. Yanto Barker (ONE Pro Cycling)
3. Eddie Dunbar (NFTO)
4. Will Bjergfelt, (SportGrub KUOTA)
5. Marcin Bialoblocki (ONE Pro Cycling)
6. Rob Partridge (NFTO)
7. Rhys Lloyd (NFTO)
8. Rory Towsend (Pedal Heaven)
9. Lee Frost (Tri UK)
10. Gunther Zechmann (London Phoenix CC)
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