Irish rider Eddie Dunbar produced a sparkling finish to claim the 11th stage of the Vuelta a Espana on Wednesday while three-time winner Primoz Roglic produced a late surge to chip away at Ben O'Connor's overall lead.
Team Jayco–AlUla's Dunbar spent much of the 166.5 kilometre route in a breakaway pack, suffering on the sharp hills with everyone else, only bursting clear 600 metres from the line in Padron.
⚡️ There was no breakaway today... that was another peloton! A crazy stage with a thrilling finish. Relive the stage in 1'!
— La Vuelta (@lavuelta) August 28, 2024
⚡️ Hoy no ha habido fuga... ¡Ha sido un pelotón! Una locura de etapa con un final vibrante. ¡Revive la etapa en 1'!
#LaVuelta24 | @gorouvy pic.twitter.com/laSRG1UFRU
Known as a climber, it was a surprise move from the 27-year-old Corkman and his rivals failed to pick him up until it was too late, allowing him to take his first ever stage victory in a grand tour.
"It's been a while since I've been in a scenario like this, if I'm honest," Dunbar told Eurosport at the finish.
"I just kind of used my experience. I was suffering a bit on that steep climb, then I realised everyone else was.
"I just played my cards. I said I'd gamble and back my finish. I know on a finish like this after a hard race I can sprint but I knew I had to go long.
"Going from 600 to go was probably a bit long for a sprint but it was what I had to do to win. I can't believe it."
🎙️🏆🇮🇪 @EddieDunbar - @GreenEDGEteam
— La Vuelta (@lavuelta) August 28, 2024
🗣️ "I just played my cards and I gambled. I know on a finish like this, after a hard race, I can sprint but I knew I had to go long. 600 metres to go, that’s quite a bit long for a sprint! But that’s what I had to do… Unbelievable! It’s… pic.twitter.com/ImpuyZ2kN8
Quinten Hermans (Alpecin-Deceuninck) and Max Poole (Team dsm-firmenich PostNL) followed him across the line two seconds behind to complete the stage podium.
O'Connor started the day three minutes 53 seconds ahead of Roglic but the Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale rider wilted as Roglic turned the screw on the final punishing climb up the category three Puerto Cruxeiras.
The Australian crossed the line 37sec behind Roglic (Red Bull–Bora–Hansgrohe), still 3min 16sec in front but badly wounded psychologically on a bruising day.
"I suffered, it was actually super hard," said O'Connor.
"It was hard at the start but then the finish climb was really solid. Maybe I could have managed it better but, whatever, I'm still in the red jersey. Another day ticked off.
"Hopefully when we get back to the big mountains I'll be back to how I was in Granada."
INCREDIBLE SUPPORT
The win marks a significant turnaround for the popular Dunbar who left Ineos Grenadiers in 2023 to become a GC contender.
He finished seventh at last year's Giro d'Italia but failed to finish the Vuelta.
This year, he crashed in the Giro in May and suffered a cruciate ligament injury that he feared might have signalled the end of his career.
"Since the Vuelta last year, I think I've had seven or eight crashes," said Dunbar.
"Physically it takes its toll but mentally it took its toll on me too.
"I said numerous times in my head that I might not have a future in the sport because of the crashes and injuries that I've had.
"This year, after the Giro, when I injured my ACL, I thought that would be the nail in the coffin for my cycling career.
"But I have incredible support around me. My girlfriend is always there for me and I have an incredible group of family and friends, and the team backed me so much.
"It's been a long time coming but to repay them all today means a lot."
🏆 Leaders after stage 11 | Líderes tras la etapa 11
— La Vuelta (@lavuelta) August 28, 2024
❤️ 🇦🇺 @ben_oconnor95
💚 🇧🇪 Wout van Aert
💙 🇬🇧 @AdamYates7
🤍 🇪🇸 @_rccarlos #LaVuelta24 pic.twitter.com/E7efNGC6Qn
Thursday's 12th stage is a hilly 137.5km ride from Ourense Termal to the Manzaneda ski resort.