Eddie Dunbar (Jayco AlUla): “This one definitely feels a bit sweeter. I said to a few people after the stage win last week that it was never a way I imagined to win a Grand Tour stage, I always imagined winning on top of a climb. I just felt good that second part today. I just backed myself on that climb. I paced myself really well. I knew that climb from a few years ago, we did it in Vuelta a Burgos 2020. I just paced the steep parts pretty hard and I rode the flat bits just making sure not to totally empty the tank. At first, when Sivakov went, I saw Bora were willing to chase so I figured there’s no point wasting bullets on a climb like this when there’s Picon Blanco to go. I’m 12 minutes down on GC, I knew I’d get a little bit of leeway. I’m just super happy I could hold on today. The guys did a super job the last few days, keeping me away from trouble. They really backed me. We only have five guys here, finishing the Vuelta, but they all rode superbly. I’ve had good times, I’ve had bad times, and this is all part of the process. Moments like this don’t come around too often. And I’m just looking forward to sharing these moments and celebrating with friends and family.”
