Eddie Dunbar was in flying form at the Tour de France before his crash and if he can replicate that, he should win a stage at La Vuelta (Photo: Vincent Kalut-Sprint Cycling Agency)

Eddie Dunbar is set to be one of three team leaders for Jayco AlUla at La Vuelta. And the Irishman will not be the team’s protected general classification leader – certainly not from the start of the race – which should leave him free to hunt stage wins.

Dunbar claimed two fantastic stages of La Vuelta last year when he sprang from a breakaway to claim stage 11 and then rode away from the general classification group on stage 20 on the Picón Blanco summit finish for a career-defining win on the queen stage of the race.

The only slight downside for Dunbar in the way Jayco AlUla is setting itself up for the Vuelta is that he may get stuck on team duties, for Ben O’Connor, if the Australian got into a very good position early in the race, which he did last year when he was GC leader 12 days.

Along with O’Connor and Dunbar, Chris Harper will also spearhead the team’s challenge at La Vuelta after winning the queen stage at the Giro earlier this year. Indeed, the three riders, between them, have won the queen stages at the last three Grand Tours.

They can go into this race aiming for stage wins and a strong general classification result, maybe even a podium. However, those podium aspirations for O’Connor are unlikely to muzzle Dunbar or Harper in their bid to get up the road and win a stage.

Dunbar appeared to be in great condition at the Tour de France before he crashed on stage 7 and was unable to start the next day. He also finished 8th in the TT at Critérium du Dauphiné (2.UWT) earlier this season, which was a career-best ride against the watch for him.

However, due to a number of crashes, he has not been able to convert that form to a top result. And, as he is now leaving Jayco AlUla for Q36.5 Pro Cycling, this Vuelta is his last big chance to take a major win for the team this season.

Also in the team with Dunbar, Harper and O’Connor are: Koen Bouwman, Anders Foldager, Patrick Gamper, Chris Juul Jensen and Kell O’Brien.

“We’ve got a strong team for the Vuelta a España with Harper, O’Connor, and Dunbar for the climbs,” said Jayo AlUla sports director, and multiple Grand Tour stage winner, Steve Cummings.

“Of course, nine of the stages finish uphill so hopefully they can be up there in those finishes, and we will aim to keep O’Connor in contention for the GC, too. Foldager has a fast finish, and he can also follow in bunch sprints so there are some good chances for him, too.
 
“Bouwman will also be there to help in the mountains, while O’Brien, Juul Jensen, and Gamper, are hybrid riders. They can try to help O’Connor, Harper, and Dunbar when they can in the mountains and be present in breakaways and then help position Foldager for those other stages.

“I think the team time trial squad is very strong as well and we’ll be looking forward to a strong result on that stage.”