Hopefully now with the new sponsor, it’ll increase the chances of getting to that level and give me time to develop because I’m still young.

The future of the Junior Tour of Ireland, the biggest race for U18 riders in the country, is under threat because of a funding crisis.

Cycling Ireland coach Neill Delahaye believes rising star Eddie Dunbar has the potential to medal in Saturday’s world junior road race championships in Spain.

Eddie Dunbar is the new National Junior road race champion after an enthralling battle with Michael O’Loughlin (Nicolas Roche Performance Team) in yesterday’s title showdown in Blarney, promoted by the Osbourne Meats/Edge Sports Shop team.

CYCLING: One of the county’s most exciting prospects, Eddie Dunbar, yesterday stormed to one of his best ever wins when he scorched to victory on stage two of the Junior Tour of Ireland by almost three minutes.

Cycling: Ireland’s Nicolas Roche has won his first stage race as a professional rider, after he claimed victory in the Route du Sud in France yesterday.

Ireland’s Martyn Irvine won his first ever gold medal at a UCI World Cup Track meeting on Saturday night, winning the points race in Manchester from a star-studded field.

Sam Bennett capped a brilliant overall victory in the Suir Valley 3-Day last night when he won the final stage on the punishing uphill finish just outside Clonmel.

Three days after they were the laughing stock of the Tour de France, when their team bus became wedged under the finishing line gantry, Orica GreenEdge capped a marvellous turnaround when they won their second stage in as many days and claimed the race leader’s yellow jersey yesterday.

American Jesse Anthony won the fourth stage of the Junior Tour of Ireland, by claiming a mass sprint-finish in Carrick-on-Suir.