Back at the pointy end of racing for Eddie Dunbar with a top 10 finish on today’s Stage 7
by Dillon Corkery, Team Picnic PostNL
Eddie was right in the thick of it on Stage 7 of this year’s Vuelta a España, and it felt like a proper reminder of what he can do when the race opens up.
After a solid first week dominated by Tadej Pogačar, that breakaway result was one of the brighter Irish moments so far.
Pogačar starts perfectly in Monaco
The race opened with a short 9.4-kilometre time trial around Monaco. Pogačar won it on home roads by the tiniest of margins, just 0.09 seconds ahead of Ethan Hayter, and pulled on the Red Jersey straight away.
There’s already talk about whether he can hold it all the way to Madrid. Nobody has worn the leader’s jersey from start to finish since the Swiss Tony Rominger managed it (Yellow Jersey) back in 1994.
Although technically Pogačar would be the first to hold the Red Jersey start to finish. Early days, but Pogačar has made the perfect start.
Sprints, storms and the first big GC moves
Matthew Brennan showed his sprinting strength by taking Stage 2, and he added another win on Stage 5. Fast man. Remember coming in 6th behind him last year in the Grand Prix de Denain – Porte du Hinaut.
Stage 3 never really happened. It had to be completely abandoned after a severe hailstorm hit the Pyrenees. Nasty conditions forced the organisers’ hand. Good call.
The first proper GC shake-up came on Stage 4 in Andorra. Pogačar attacked with about 50 kilometres still to race, went solo, and put a hefty 2 minutes 39 seconds into his main rivals. He was at it again on Stage 6, jumping clear from 24 kilometres out.
Enric Mas managed to bridge across in a move that surprised a good few people (Pogačar included, judging by his post-race comments), but the Slovenian still came out on top at the finish, despite a small exit on the descent. 779 days though!
Breakaway day and Eddie’s strong ride
Stage 7 finally went to the break. A big group of around 20 riders got clear, and Eddie was right there.
When the move split on the final climb roughly 10 kilometres at an average of 6.5%, he was still in the mix with riders like Tobias Halland Johannessen and Van Aert, who was in the hunt for the Green Jersey, and others.
An attack with 7.5 kilometres remaining. Andreas Leknessund took a strong solo win, with his Norwegian compatriot Johannessen finishing second in the group behind, and Eddie coming in 8th.
Pogačar still found time to put a bit more pressure on the GC men and gained another 16 seconds on Enric Mas.
Where things stand after seven stages
The gaps at the top of the general classification are already looking sizeable. Pogačar looks firmly in control and is riding with real authority. Enric Mas has so far been the strongest of the challengers.
And it was genuinely brilliant to see Eddie back in a big move and competing at the sharp end again.
Looking forward to seeing what himself and Darren Rafferty have in store for week 2.
My condolences to 1994 Rás Tailteann winner Stephan Delaney’s family and friends on their loss. May he Rest In Peace.
