This coming Saturday sees Eddie Dunbar headlining the Vuelta a España, with ambitions to prime his performance as the three-week journey unfolds. Alongside him as co-commander of the Jayco AlUla squad, is Australian bike jockey Chris Harper, who is also expected to excel when it comes to the overall stakes. Previously, Dunbar held an impressive seventh ranking in the 2023 Giro d’Italia, where illness struck when he was at the fourth position with a mere three days to the finish line.
Whilst he and his crew strive for a podium position in a Grand Tour, his form remains a bit of a mystery due to an earlier injury this season, compounded by inconsistent progress in the recent Vuelta a Burgos. After a brush with fate which led to a significant ligament injury during the Giro d’Italia in May, he made a comeback to the sport on June 20th, securing victory in the Irish national time trial championship. Since then, Dunbar’s been steadily preparing for the Vuelta, and due to the challenge posed by this year’s contest, he believes it might be apt to gradually build form rather than being at peak performance from day one.
The commencement stage on Saturday entails a one-man time trial across the plains of Lisbon, where it becomes imperative to keep time losses to the minimum. As the race unfolds, he hopes his climbing prowess will surface. “Considering the coming three weeks comprise of a staggering 62,000 meters climb, which is a mammoth 10,000 meters more than this year’s Tour de France, it’s set to be a testing time. Each day brings its own hurdles. Hence, my game plan involves staying present and alert, with aspirations of being a significant player on the challenging days.”
Also participating in the race are two fellow Irish cyclists, including the formidable 21-year-old Darren Rafferty, who will be making his Grand Tour bow with the EF Education First brigade.
“Being able to participate in the Vuelta during his debut professional year is admirable for him,” Dunbar observed about the cyclist from Dungannon. “His performance throughout the year has truly amazed me. I’m certain he’ll have a highly productive three weeks.”
It’s primarily Rafferty’s responsibility to assist team captain Richard Carapaz, the Tour de France stage winner and King of the Mountains jersey holder. Nevertheless, he might be given the opportunity to pursue a stage victory.
The contest will also see reigning champion Sepp Kuss (Visma-Lease a Bike), three-time Vuelta victor Primož Roglič (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe), and the three formidable rivals from the UAE Team Emirates: João Almeida, Adam Yates, and Isaac del Toro.
Cyclists will be challenged with two time trials and nine mountaintop conclusions in the race that extends over 3,300km to Madrid.