News – Dunbar stars at Euros

2015_CONTI_Banner_TourSeries

Ireland’s Eddie Dunbar (NFTO) stars at Under 23 Euro Road Championships with two long breakaway efforts

RST Cycle Clothing & Trigon Bikes

News – Dunbar stars at Euros

In the European Men’s Under 23 Road Race, Ireland’s Eddie Dunbar (NFTO) proved to be one of the strongest riders. Dunbar was in two significant breakaway moves, spending several laps out front and the first year senior still had the strength to sprint to the finish in the large group fighting it out for the medals after 161.2km.

Dunbar finished 26th behind Slovakia’s Erik Baska in the 45-rider charge for the line while Ryan Mullen was also safely in the main group in 39th position. No breakaway move had established itself before Dunbar struck out for glory with 102km remaining.

The NFTO registered rider quickly joined up with Wojciech Sykala of Poland and the duo spent more than a lap out front gaining a maximum of 40s on the main field. Despite being joined by Affini of Italy and Kurianov of Russia, they were swept up by the main group with seven laps remaining. Dunbar recovered in the bunch for several laps before going for glory again with 50km left.

Stosz of Poland, De Plus (Belgium) and Schlegel (Czech Republic) joined up with Dunbar and they soon overhauled, and then left behind, solo leader Erik Turek (Cze). The lead quartet then built a maximum of just over half a minute lead on the main group in a move that lasted for 30km. They were finally overhauled inside the final 20km but, unlike most of his breakaway companions, Dunbar still had enough strength in hand to stay with the leaders all the way to the finish line.

Ryan Mullen, who finished fourth in last Thursday’s Under 23 Time Trial, was safely nestled in the bunch as the kilometres dwindled away and the two were part of the charging mass sprinting for medals at the end of the 13th lap.

Dunbar prepared to bring Mullen through the bunch in the final kilometre but Mullen’s seat post broke, preventing him from contesting the sprint.

Send your results as well as club, team & event news here

Other Results on VeloUK (including reports containing results)

Other News on VeloUK

Tags: