Cycling: Eddie Dunbar has won the 20th stage of the Vuelta a Espana. The Irishman was able to break out of the group of favorites and prevail on the final climb. Primoz Roglic confidently defended his red jersey and is now on the verge of overall victory.
Dunbar attacks at the right moment
Victory for Eddie Dunbar (Jayco AlUla). The Irishman won the 172-kilometer penultimate stage of the Vuelta a España from Villarcayo to Picón Blanco, perfectly timing his attack on the final climb. Having already won the eleventh stage, this is his second stage victory in the Spanish tour. Enric Mas (Movistar) and Primož Roglič (Bora-Hansgrohe) finished behind him. The Slovenian is on the verge of his fourth overall victory at the Vuelta a España, as only an individual time trial remains tomorrow. Ben O'Connor (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale) currently holds second place, but the Australian is only a few seconds ahead of Mas.
Oscar Rodriguez falls back in the GC
Thirty kilometers from the finish, the breakaway group was caught by the favorites. Frenchman Clément Berthet (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale) and Australian Jay Vine (UAE) were the last two escapees to realize that the stage win would likely be contested among the favorites. The pace increased so dramatically on the climb to the Portillo de la Sía that even two general classification contenders, Oscar Rodriguez (Ineos Grenadiers) and Mattia Skjelmose (Lidl-Trek), lost contact with the peloton. While the Dane managed to rejoin the group shortly before the summit, the Spaniard fell far short of his expectations. Pavel Sivakov (UAE), on the other hand, attempted to build a lead before the final climb. The Frenchman gained over 60 seconds but was ultimately caught in the final sprint.
Three tasks at Bora – hansgrohe
At this point, three riders from the Bora-hansgrohe team have already abandoned the race. Patrick Gamper from Austria, Nico Denz from Germany, and Daniel Martinez from Colombia have all withdrawn. The team cited illness as the reason. After the race, former professional cyclist Robbie McEwan mentioned that one of the riders is in the hospital with suspected salmonella. Since only a time trial is scheduled for tomorrow, the final day of the 2024 Vuelta a España, team captain Primož Roglič (Bora-hansgrohe) will no longer need them for support duties.
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Enric asked me about the gates of Victoria in Picón Blanco and the double of Dunbar at @lavuelta
Roglic solveda delicado a lo campeón.
You can see it at @Eurosport_ES and @StreamMaxES . #LaVuelta24 pic.twitter.com/G94lHzxJ4q
— Eurosport.es (@Eurosport_ES) September 7, 2024