Eddie Dunbar dominates final climb at Vuelta to take huge win | Video

Eddie Dunbar took off - with great confidence - on the final climb of Vuelta 2024 and has taken a second stage victory on a brilliant day for the Cork rider

Eddie Dunbar (Team Jayco Alula) has held off many of the best climbers in the world to win the final mountain stage of La Vuelta after an absolutely sensational ride on stage 20 to Picón Blanco.

The Cork man, who already had a stage win in the bag before this second win, today rode away from all-comers on the final mountain, also moving up two places in the overall to 11th after a brilliant final week of the race.

And though the best went after him today, they simply were not able to get back on terms with Dunbar, who had only 15 seconds on the general classification group by the time he went under the red kite for 1km to go.

Dunbar followed today for a long time on the 172km queen stage from Villarcayo to Picón Blanco. But when the time came, he pulled the trigger and rode a powerful and controlled final climb to take - by far - the best win of his career.

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Eddie Dunbar was the king on Picón Blanco, pulling the trigger and riding away from the best for his second stage win on the race (Photo: Unipublic-SCA)

On stage 11 he took his win from a large breakaway, with an attack in the final kilometre. But today he simply climbed away from the best; the Irishman proving he is one of them on what has become a glorious Grand Tour for the Irishman.

When Dunbar made his move, attacking out of the general classification group on stage 20, there were 5km to go to the finish line at the top of the mountain. Pavel Sivakov (UAE Team Emirates) was leading solo at the time, by about 35 seconds.

However, once Dunbar was gone he slowly reeled in Sivakov, before dropping him. Dunbar also then held off the general classification riders, even though many of them put in serious efforts to catch him.

Less than 1km after Dunbar attacked, race leader Primož Roglič (Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe) hit the front of the group, closely tracked by Enric Mas (Movistar) and immediately that pressure stretched out the group, with gaps appearing.

Primož Roglič retains the race leader's jersey at La Vuelta, despite illness in his team, ahead of the final stage TT in Madrid tomorrow (Photo: Unipublic-Cxcling-Toni Baixauli)

All the while, Dunbar continued to work away on his own out front. A more tactical battle then began in the general classification group, with Mas taking over the pace-setting on the front and then David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ).

At that point, with about 4km still remaining, there were just seconds between Dunbar and Sivakov, with the general classification group only a few further seconds back.

Dunbar caught Sivakov with 3.4m to go as Gaudu continued to lead the general classification group just 15 seconds back. However, Dunbar continued to play it cool, never panicking and never getting over-excited.

He soon dropped Sivakov, with about 2.7km to go, and though the favourites behind took turns to surge forward and set the pace, Dunbar continued to work away, with the bigger names unable to get him.

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Just inside the final kilometre, Mikel Landa (Soudal QuickStep) put in a big attack and looked, very briefly, like he may break Dunbar's heart. However, Dunbar was now on a charge and he still had plenty in the tank, unlike Landa, who fell apart after his effort and was caught.

In the end, it was Mas who proved strongest of the general classification men, surging forward at the last and getting to within seven seconds of Dunbar on the finish line.

In truth, the stage outcome was done and dusted before Mas made his final move, with Dunbar taking time to enjoy his win in full knowledge he had done more than enough to claim a famous victory.

Roglič was 3rd on the stage, at 10 seconds, with Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost) 4th at 12 seconds. But the day belonged to Dunbar; a classic day for the Irishman which is, by some margin, the highlight of his career so far.

Irish road race champion Darren Rafferty (EF Education-EasyPost) was in the general classification group for a long time today, offering support to his team leader Carapaz. He eventually finished in 50th place at 22:08.

Going into the final stage, Roglič still leads - despite illness hitting his team - by 2:02 from long-time race leader Ben O'Connor (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale).

However, Mas is in 3rd and has closed to within nine seconds of O'Connor. Carapaz is 4th, at 3:00, and looks like his shot at a final podium finish is gone. Dunbar is now 11th, having worked his way up from 18th overall through the final week, at 13:15.

But he is 2:44 down on Carlos Rodríguez (Ineos Grenadiers) in 10th, meaning Dunbar is now likely to finish 11th overall rather than nudging into the top 10; something he will not be disappointed with after two stage wins.

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