Very strong ride by Eddie Dunbar in Italy against biggest names | Video | Sticky Bottle

Eddie Dunbar on the attack on the hilly finishing circuit at GP Industria & Artigianato in Italy today

Eddie Dunbar (Ineos Grenadiers) but in an aggressive display in Italy today to score a top 10 finish on a hilly course against some of the biggest names in pro cycling at GP Industria & Artigianato.

Both Dunbar and his 20-year-old team mate Carlos Rodriguez were at the pointy end of the action for Ineos Grenadiers on the hilly finishing circuit, where they both attacked in a bid for glory; Dunbar managing to get away for a time with 40km remaining.

And while their efforts did not result in victory for the team, it was a very strong showing by Dunbar and one that suggests he's in mint condition just a matter of weeks into the new season.

The 193.4km race into Larciano consisted of a flat opening circuit at 22km tackled four times, at the conclusion of which the riders raced onto a second circuit, with the finish at the end of four laps of that course.

Vansevenant, aged just 21 years, was absolutely delighted with his win. The Belgian was the only rider able to move with Quintana on the last climb of the race. He then also had the legs to beat his breakaway companions in the final sprint (Photo: Wout Beel)

The finishing circuit was just under 27km and featured the climb of Fornello – a 1.3km stretch at 8.9km. That was followed immediately by a smaller stretch of climbing to San Baronto before the descent.

Dunbar and Rodriguez were aggressive on the finishing circuits and on the final lap when the front of the race was down to about 25 riders, both were in the group.

The fireworks went off on the final climb, with Nairo Quintana (Arkea Samsic) putting in a hard dig, splitting the front group with just over 13km to go.

Related News

Lara Gillespie attacks Dolomite stage as Giro hits high mountains

Video - Ireland's Meehan climbs with best on brutal Alpine terrain

Eventual winner Mauri Vansevenant (Deceuninck-QuickStep) covered that attack by the Colombian and as they crested the top of the climb they were joined by Bauke Mollema (Trek-Segafredo) and Mikel Landa (Bahrain Victorious).

Dunbar tried his best to bridge across to them but his effort saw him temporarily stuck on the front of the nine-man chasing group up the last section of the climb.

Ide Schelling (Bora-Hansgrohe) was the only rider who missed the boat to bridge across and he tried his luck from the breakaway as the finish approached; catching the leaders in the final kilometre and trying to attack them immediately.

But that attack was not successful and it was Vansevenant, a 21-year-old Belgian, who was fastest to the line; taking his first ever pro win just ahead of Mollema, Landa, Quintana and Schelling.

Gianluca Brambilla (Trek-Segafredo) came
close to catching the breakaway on the finishing straight but had to settle for
6th place just four seconds down on the winner.

And seven seconds later Rodriguez finished in 7th for
Ineos Grenadiers. Then came a group of six riders – some 16 seconds down on the
winner – sprinting for 8th place.

Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) took that sprint for 8th place from Ireland’s Dunbar, with Vincenzo Nibali (Trek Segafredo) in 10th; a strong showing by Dunbar who just lacked a little bit of punch on the final climb to go with the strongest riders.