Irish elite road race champion, Conor Dunne, drives the breakaway on at the Tour de Wallonie in Belgium.
Conor Dunne, Eddie Dunbar attack Tour Wallonie
The only two Irish riders in the race, Eddie Dunbar and Conor Dunne, went on the attack on the opening stage of the Tour de Wallonie (2.HC)
Dunne, in his Irish champion’s kit, got clear in the main breakaway of the day. And while it was caught, he was awarded the most aggressive rider prize.
Dunne’s Aqua Blue Sport team mate Dunbar left his effort later. He had a go off the front with two others in a bid to nick the stage, though his effort was also wiped out.
In the end the 193km opening stage, of five, came down to a bunch sprint. It was won by Romain Cardis of Direct Energie.
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A six-man group got clear early and Dunne bridged across to it in the opening 20km. The Irish champion decided against contesting the sprints and climbs, opting instead to keep his powder dry.
And while his group would gain over six minutes at one point, Lotto-Soudal and QuickStep were to the fore in the chase back in the peloton.
The gap took much longer to close down than expected. But with 20km to go it was down to 30 seconds.
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At that point Dunne showed his hand; jumping clear of the seven-man move with Quinten Hermans of Telenet Fidea Lions.
They lasted out front until 9km to go. And when they were caught Dunbar fired off the front.
He was with two others in a short-lived move as they were caught by the peloton with 3km to go.
Dunne said he was pleased to get up the road and show off the Irish champion’s stripes.
“It was quite a tough day in the end, with three cobbled sectors in the last 50kms,” he said.
“But I had it in mind to save a bit for the end, and give it a real go for staying away properly.
“I attacked on the final cobbles with 20km to go and went away with Telenet rider Quentin Hermans. We gave it a good crack, but the peloton brought us back.
“It was good to be able to aggressive in the Irish jersey and show it off. I’m just dead proud to be wearing it and prouder to have won the most combative rider in it.
“It gives me that added motivation to either go for a result or just get out in the break and enjoy my year in this jersey. It’s good to be back racing.”
The Tour de Wallonie continues on Sunday with a hilly stage 2. The stage will tackle the cat 1 climbs of Côte de Tneuchamps and Fond de Lustin.
The stage takes the riders 167.2km from Villers-La-Ville to Namur, with eight climbs in all.
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