Ireland's Eddie Dunbar on the front and splitting the race; Nairo Quintana one of those on his wheel and Vincenzo Nibali a little further back about to get across.
Eddie Dunbar impresses on Marco Pantani Memorial climbs
Eddie Dunbar has animated the Marco Pantani Memorial in Italy; claiming 8th place after forcing the breakaway on the final major climb.
As was the case in Giro della Toscana mid week, Dunbar attacked the final climb hard. And it was his effort, along with Nairo Quintana's, that split the race to pieces.
But unlike Wednesday, when he lost his place in the four-man front group after burying himself for team mate Gianni Moscon; this time Dunbar remained in the breakaway.
And at the finish he took eight place as Davide Ballerini (Androni-Sidermec) won. The Italian claimed the race from David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ). Ballerini’s team mate Francesco Gavazzi took 3rd.
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But it was the manner of Dunbar’s racing that impressed more than his result. He has had what can only be called a dream start with Team Sky.
And given his condition he will go into the U23 road race at the World Championships in Innsbruck next week among a small group of hot favourites.
Interestingly, Eddie Dunbar was the only Team Sky rider in the winning breakaway today. Diego Rosa was next best, almost four minutes behind the Irishman.
Dunbar is already riding like he can lead a WorldTour team despite his youth. He is competing with marked strength and confidence.
Today an early breakaway went clear and gained six minutes over the 200km race from Cesenatico to Castrocaro Terme.
With three passages of the Montevecchio - some 4.3km in length at seven per cent – to contend with, it always looked like that climb would shape the race.
With the breakaway still up the road second time up the climb, Quintana (Movistar) took it up, attacking from what remained of the bunch.
And behind it was the 22-year-old Irishman Dunbar who was in the thick of the action after the Colombian.
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Eddie Dunbar joined Quintana’s attack alongside Domenico Pozzovivo (Bahrain-Merida), Dario Cataldo (Italy) and Marco Tizza (Nippo-Vini Fantini).
However, the selection of names in that group set the alarm bells off in the peloton. The group was hunted down and caught; that chase also wiping out the breakaway’s advantage.
When the racing came around to the climb again on the final lap, it was Eddie Dunbar who let rip.
The new Team Sky man hit it hard and he pulled the breakaway clear with some incredibly impressive riding. Initially few could go with him and Quintana as they pressed.
But eventually, after Dunbar went over the climb leading with Ben Hermans, the break would swell.
In the large escape was the Bahrain Merida trio of Vincenzo Nibali, Franco Pellizotti and Pozzovivo.
Quintana was also present along with David Gaudu-Groupama FDJ), Davide Brambilla (Italy), Hermans (Israel Cycling Academy) and Serge Pauwels (Dimension Data).
Androni-Sidermec had four riders in the 18-man escape; eventual winner Ballerini as well as Marco Cattaneo, Gavazzi and Fausto Masnada.
Wanty-Groupe Gobert had two present; Guillaume Martin and Xandro Meurisse. Warren Barguil (Fortuneo Samsic) was also in the breakaway.
Ivan Santaromita and Marco Tizza were there for Nippo Vini Fantini. Guillaume Martin was also in the escape with Wanty-Groupe Gobert team mate Xandro Meurisse.
Once the group was established and pulled clear, there were several attacks on the last climb; the Longiano on the finishing circuit.
When those surges came to nothing Nibali had a dig with 3km remaining. But he was caught, paving the way for a sprint finish won by Ballerini.
It was a fantastic ride by Eddie Dunbar who seems to have saved his best form to the end of the season.
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