Eddie Dunbar throws in first attacks on chaotic day at Vuelta | Video

Eddie Dunbar has kept a low profile on La Vuelta, though he sprang into action on today's stage 11, which ended in chaotic scenes in Bilbao (Photo: Tommaso Pelagalli-Sprint Cycling Agency)

Eddie Dunbar (Team Jayco AlUla) may have taken some time to get going at La Vuelta but last year's double stage winner threw in his first serious attacks of the race on today's chaotic stage 11.

The Irishman took advantage of some very lumpy terrain around Bilbao, attacking off the front on the first climb of the day; the Alto de Laukiz - 4km at 4.7 per cent - which began almost immediately the 157.4km stage began.

Initially in the wheel of team mate Kelland O'Brien, Dunbar then quickly threw in his own move; he and his team clearly intent on getting up the road early. He was joined mixing it off the front by Juan Ayuso (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) and Markel Beloki (EF Education-EasyPost).

When that didn't work, as the moves were closed down, Dunbar was at it again much later in the stage; attacking hard on the first of two passges of the Alto de Vivero, 4.3km at 7.9 per cent, and crested with 55km to go.

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Dunbar set off in pursuit of two attackers just off the front, namely Mikel Landa (Soudal-QuickStep) and Santiago Buitrago (Bahrain-Victorious). The Irishman was joined by several others and very quickly it looked like a dangerous move.

With him were: Victor Campenaerts (Visma-Lease a Bike), Kamiel Bonneu (Intermarché-Wanty), Jordan Labrosse (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale), Louis Rouland (Arkéa-B&B Hotels) and a very aggressive Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek). Pedersen was targeting the intermediate sprints points just up the road.

With Pedersen and Dunbar driving the pace, the group was about 40 seconds down on the two leaders, with the remains of the bunch about 20 seconds further back just after the climb. However, with about 35km, and two climbs remaining, the Dunbar-Pedersen group was caught. Up front Landa cramped, and was also caught, leaving Buitrago leading alone.

In the final, with Buitrago long recaptured and attacks flying off the front, it was Tom Pidcock (Q36.5 Pro Cycling) who proved by far the strongest on the final climb, the Alto de Pike. Just 2.1km in length, but with an average gradient of 9.2 per cent, it really showcased Pidcock's talents, rarely seen in Grand Tours.

He rode the rest of the strongest riders off his wheel, including race leader Jonas Vingegaard (Visma | Lease a Bike), though the Dane regrouped and got across to Pidcock. However, as they raced towards the finish, the race organisers had already issued a statement saying the stage would concluded with 3km to go.

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Pro-Palestine protestors had broken through the crowd control barriers close to the finish - having already run out onto the road earlier in the day. The decision was made to take general classification time with 3km to go, but to award no stage placings.

It meant Pidcock was left empty handed for his efforts, without the chance to even try for the stage victory. And though Dunbar had faded in the final 30km, his presence jumping around off the front is hopefully a sign of things to come in the second half of this race.

Vingegaard and Pidcock still gained time in the general classification, with Vingegaard now leading the race by 50 seconds from João Almeida (UAE Team Emirates-XRG), gaining 12 seconds on him today. Pidcock has moved up one place overall, to 3rd, and is now 56 seconds back.

Ireland's Dunbar was just over seven minutes down today while Archie Ryan (EF Education-EasyPost) was 19:45 down.

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