It's a huge weekend for cycling with Paris-Roubaix taking to the cobbles of France today. In Belgium yesterday, Irish cycling received a huge shot in the arm when 20-year-old Eddie Dunbar rode to a storming win in the U23 Tour of Flanders against many of the best young cyclists in Europe.
According to SitckyBottle.com, Dunbar, who comes from Co. Cork and rides for Axeon Hagens Berman, blitzed a three-man breakaway group to cross the finish line 49 seconds ahead of the field, ending on a solo.
He sounded delighted when speaking to the AHB website after the race.
"I was actually cramping in the last three kilometers and was just hoping that my legs would not lock up completely. So I was trying not to press too hard. Once I passed two kilometers to go, I knew I was not going to be caught. There were so many things going through my head at the end. I was even wondering if there was maybe a guy ahead of me."
Video: Watch Eddie Dunbar Tour of Flanders podium celebration pic.twitter.com/93gnmpgf5w
— StickyBottle.com 💚 🚲 (@sticky_bottle) April 8, 2017
On Sunday, Dutch cycling website WielerFlits profiled Dunbar in depth, and featured an interview with Kurt Bogaerts who runs the Sportlive Team with Sean Kelly. Bogaerts said Dunbar had overcome a difficult childhood before being discovered by Eddie Merckx
After the race, Dunbar was positioned as a 20/1 to win the Tour de France outright at any point in his career. Get on it while you can.
Good morning @EddieDunbar just in case u were thinking it was all a dream PP have new prices on you @cyclingbetting pic.twitter.com/MflJB5esGQ
— Irish Corner🇮🇪 (@IrishCorner10) April 9, 2017
Dunbar is the reigning Irish U23 champion and in an interview with CyclingTips.com last year, he told Shane Stokes about how Eddie Merckx's praised him for his aggressiveness. That aggressiveness paid off for Dunbar today and who know how far it'll take him.
