Irish rider Dunbar wins Vuelta stage 11

Eddie Dunbar timed his break to perfection in the last kilometre to win stage 11 of the Vuelta a Espana in Padron.

The Irish rider, who finished seventh in last year’s Giro d’Italia, held off the field to win comfortably and take his first Grand Tour stage victory.

Quinten Hermans was second with British rider Max Poole taking third at the end of the 166.5km stage.

Australian Ben O’Connor remains at the head of the general standings but lost around 35 seconds of his lead.

Dunbar said: “It’s incredible. Since the Vuelta last year, I think I’ve had seven or eight crashes. Of course, physically it takes its toll, but mentally it took its toll on me too.

“I said numerous times in my head that I might not have a future in the sport because of the crashes and injuries that I’ve had.

“This year, after the Giro, when I injured my ACL, I thought that would be the nail in the coffin for my cycling career. But I have incredible support around me – my girlfriend is always there for me, and I have an incredible group of family and friends, and the team backed me so much.

“It’s been a long time coming but to repay them all today means a lot.”