Eddie Dunbar 'a bit disappointed' after podium finish on stage 12 of his debut Giro d'Italia
The 22-year-old said he was one of the strongest but missed out on the win
Eddie Dunbar finished the Giro d'Italia stage 12 in Pinerolo "a bit disappointed" despite playing for a stage win in his debut Grand Tour.
Dunbar (Team Ineos) escaped with the breakaway, attacked with the best, including new race leader Jan Polanc (UAE Team Emirates) and was in the fight for the stage win.
He finished third behind victor Cesare Benedetti (Bora-Hansgrohe) and Damiano Caruso (Bahrain-Merida).
"I'm a bit disappointed really, I wasn't the quickest but I was certainly one of the strongest," he said.
>>> Five talking points from stage 12 of the Giro d’Italia 2019
"At the finish I had [Gianluca] Brambilla and Eros [Capecchi] there and I knew them being Italian they'd be a bit more keen to get to the finish than me so I gambled a bit and then got caught by the two guys behind but that's bike racing I guess. You live and learn."
Dunbar looked over his shoulder in the closing metres as the trio made it to Pinerolo first, but the others from the early move were clawing back – including Benedetti.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
The 22-year-old Irishman only received a last minute call up for the Giro d'Italia 2019 team when Egan Bernal broke his collarbone. However, he raced like an experienced Grand Tour professional against riders 10 years older.
"I didn't feel super and I was worried about what gear to pick. I thought if I started at the back I could see who is strong and normally guys can feel it on the climb so I waited and if I can get to the top two I thought I might have a chance," he continued.
"At the end it was literally who can push the biggest gear, the other guys had the experience on me and that extra bit of endurance but it's a start for sure for me."
The team is focused on the overall with Pavel Sivakov and Tao Geoghegan Hart without Bernal in the Giro d'Italia.
However, given it is such a young roster – averaging 25 years old – management is giving them freedom.
Dunbar took his chance today with Ineos team-mate Christian Knees in a large escape of round 20 men. The breakaway succeeded in what is supposed to be one of the last days for opportunists before the general classification battle truly begins.
On stage 12, the race climbs to above 2000 metres for its first summit finish at Lago Serrù.
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Gregor Brown is an experienced cycling journalist, based in Florence, Italy. He has covered races all over the world for over a decade - following the Giro, Tour de France, and every major race since 2006. His love of cycling began with freestyle and BMX, before the 1998 Tour de France led him to a deep appreciation of the road racing season.
-
Overachiever: Cameron Wurf competed in the Amstel Gold, La Flèche Wallonne and an Ironman, all in just eight days
Cameron Wurf is both a member of Team Ineos Grenadiers and an accomplished professional long course triathlete who has racked up numerous World Tour and Ironman race finishes across his career.
By Kristin Jenny Published
-
The tech nerd's guide to the perfect coffee
Joe on Joe. What does it take to make a fine mug of Joe? We sent Joe Baker to find out.
By Joe Baker Published
-
'It was time to change': No regrets for Rod Ellingworth after leaving Ineos Grenadiers
New Tour of Britain race director says he is still on good terms with Dave Brailsford after resigning from team last year
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'I’m just here to enjoy it': Tom Pidcock on his surprise Paris-Roubaix appearance
British rider was a late addition to the Ineos Grenadiers team for the race across the pavé
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
The art of peaking with Geraint Thomas: 'It’s easy to take for granted that 9 times out of 10 I hit my goals'
The Welshman also calls for better governance in the sport to help it grow further
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers’ 500th victory was claimed by a woman; why do they still not have a team?
The British squad is one of the richest in cycling - but Ineos still won’t stump up for a women’s team
By Adam Becket Published
-
'This is so much more than a number': Six of the best Ineos Grenadiers wins as team claims 500th race victory
Pauline Ferrand-Prévot took the 500th team win at the weekend
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Tom Pidcock 'wouldn’t be surprised' to see attacks before the Poggio at Milan-San Remo
British rider will lead the line for Ineos Grenadiers alongside Filippo Ganna
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers delighted with Egan Bernal’s late cameo on stage one of Paris-Nice
Colombian snapped up key bonus seconds in the general classification battle on run in to Les Mureaux
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
‘It doesn’t change anything’ - Tom Pidcock’s coach on Tadej Pogačar at Strade Bianche
Kurt Bogaerts says the pressure is off for Pidcock as he looks to defend the title he emphatically won last year
By Tom Thewlis Published