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Eddie Dunbar (Team Jayco AlUla) suffered a major setback during stage 5 of Tirreno-Adriatico in Italy, crashing out of the race and leaving him in significant pain. Dunbar, who had been in a strong position overall following an impressive performance in the opening time trial, was forced to abandon the race after the incident. The crash occurred approximately 35 kilometers from the finish on a wet and challenging course, adding to the difficulty of the stage.
Dunbar, who was sitting 7th overall heading into the stage, just 44 seconds behind race leader Filippo Ganna (Ineos Grenadiers), appeared to land heavily on his tailbone and back. Despite managing to get back on his feet, the Irish rider was visibly in discomfort, prompting his team to officially announce his withdrawal from the race. Team Jayco AlUla stated, unfortunately, Dunbar has abandoned the race following the crash. We’ll provide further updates after the stage. Details on the extent of Dunbar’s injuries were not immediately available, leaving fans and supporters awaiting further news.
The stage itself was marked by aggressive racing and difficult conditions. Fredrik Dversnes (Uno-X Mobility) emerged as the stage winner after a bold solo breakaway. Dversnes had been part of a day-long breakaway and managed to drop his companions on the final climb, Monterolo, to secure victory by a narrow margin. He held off the remnants of the peloton by just seven seconds, with Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) sprinting to second place ahead of Roger Adrià (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) in third. Despite the drama, Filippo Ganna retained the leader’s jersey, maintaining a 22-second advantage over Juan Ayuso (UAE Team Emirates – XRG).
For other riders, the stage presented its own challenges. Ben Healy (EF Education-EasyPost) lost time after being dropped on a late climb, finishing in a group 1:43 behind the leaders. Sam Bennett (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale) also had a tough day, coming in 127th, nearly 20 minutes off the pace.
Dunbar’s crash highlights the unpredictable and often brutal nature of professional cycling, where a single moment can change the trajectory of a race—or a season. The Irishman had entered Tirreno-Adriatico with high hopes after his strong time trial performance on the opening day, which positioned him well for a potential overall result. However, the wet and slippery conditions on stage 5 proved to be his undoing.
The incident serves as a reminder of the risks riders face in high-stakes races, particularly in adverse weather. Dunbar’s crash followed a trend of accidents in this year’s Tirreno-Adriatico, with wet roads and challenging terrain contributing to the difficulty of the event. As the race continues, the peloton will undoubtedly remain cautious, especially in similar conditions.
For Dunbar, the focus now shifts to recovery and assessing the extent of his injuries. His team and fans will be hoping for a swift return to racing, with the season still offering plenty of opportunities for the talented Irish rider to showcase his abilities. In the meantime, the cycling community extends its best wishes to Dunbar for a speedy recovery and a return to form.
