Dunbar in groove with stage victory

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.

The defending champion from Kanturk, who rode for the National team at the European Championships in Switzerland last weekend, jumped clear in the opening kilometres yesterday and pulled a small group of riders with him. But one by one they dropped back to the safe sanctuary of the bunch, perhaps thinking that such an early move was a waste of time.

Indeed, with 116 kilometres and two climbs to negotiate, it really was no day for the faint-hearted.

The only man who could stay with Dunbar yesterday was US National champion Jonathen Brown, but even he was dropped by the pace of Dunbar who soloed to a marvellous win.

Today’s stage is a real leg-breaker and takes the riders 125 kilometres over four categorised climbs, finishing in Lahinch.