Eddie Dunbar has said he was happy with his 2nd place at Coppi e Bartali (2.1) in Italy today and the Irishman is eyeing the next two stages, which are hillier, and could see him take the first race leader’s jersey of his pro career.
The
25-year-old from Co Cork let rip with a very strong attack on the final climb
today and hit out for him, though almost 30km of the 164.6km stage into Riccione
remained.
He was joined
by last year’s Giro gravel stage winner Mauro Schmid (Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl).
And though the 22-year-old Swiss rider beat Dunbar to the line, the Irishman
claimed 2nd and also gained an absolutely vital 14 seconds on the remains of
the peloton, which numbered just 20 riders.
He is part of
a strong Ineos Grenadiers team in the race – including Ethan Hayter and Geraint
Thomas – and with just 22 riders in contention now, and no TT stage this year,
Dunbar has a fantastic chance of winning the race outright.
He said if
the chance came to take the leader’s jersey on the hillier 165.9km stage into Longiano, which includes an uphill
finish, he would take it. And though he was beaten for the win today, he was
happy with his ride.
“I went quite early it was almost
27 km to go. So I was after doing a good effort,” Dunbar said of being beaten
to the line. “I think Mauro got me because he showed he was super strong on the
flat, he had me under a lot of pressure.
“So I
think I can be satisfied with 2nd today and the next two stages suit me quite
well. They’re obviously quite hilly so we’ll give it our best shot at trying to
win the race.”
Asked
who the team leader would be for the remainder of the race, Dunbar said:
“We’ll leave the road to decide. Today I had my chance to try and do
good and I think I made the most of that.
“We’ll
see in the next few days and this race is known for changing quite a bit. Sometimes
it’s quite a tight race, sometimes it’s easily won. But we’ve a few options to
play, which is good.
“I think the next two days look like the stages where you can make the most difference. For me, today could end up being the hardest stage, that’s my opinion. But the San Marino stage looks quite difficult on paper and I’m sure it is going to be difficult. So we have to keep our heads down and see how the rest of the week goes.”
Asked
if he could take the leader’s jersey tomorrow Dunbar said: “Of course, if
you have a chance to take the jersey you always take it. You know, I think with
the way cycling is now that any chance you get you need to take it at the time.
That’s just the way the sport has gone now, you can’t wait. So we’ll see if we
have an opportunity, for sure we’ll take it.”
