Kanturk's Eddie Dunbar retains leader's jersey at Coppi e Bartali

No Irish rider has ever won the race, while 2014 was the last time an Irish rider won a professional stage race

Eddie Dunbar was one of three road cyclists who competed for Team Ireland in Tokyo. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Ireland’s Eddie Dunbar has retained the leader’s jersey at the five-day Italian race Coppi e Bartali after a thrilling third stage this afternoon.

The 25-year old from Kanturk, Co. Cork was second across the finish line of today’s Queen stage which took the riders over three categorised climbs and 150 kilometres of hilly terrain.