2024 Vuelta a España Stage 11 Results & Recap
Stage 11 of the 2024 Vuelta a España is in the books. The final results and standings are below, followed by our recap of how the race unfolded.
Race Recap
Dunbar Surprises on Stage 11
Eddie Dunbar attacked from the breakaway inside the final 700 metres to take the win in Padrón. The Irishman claimed victory in the 11th Vuelta stage ahead of Quinten Hermans and Max Poole, while Primoz Roglic took time from Ben O'Connor, but the Australian retains La Roja.
“It’s weird how it goes sometimes… I had a really bad start to the race, and I lost a lot of time," Dunbar said. "I came here to ride GC but I learned pretty quick that I didn’t have the legs to do it. My preparation was really good, so then it was about reassessing, and the stage win became an opportunity that I didn’t expect.
"It’s been a while since I’ve been in a scenario like this if I’m honest. I just kind of used my experience. I was suffering a bit with that steep climb then I realised everyone else was. I had Pipo [Zana] up the road so that kind of let me take the backseat. I just played my cards and I gambled. I know on a finish like this, after a hard race, I can sprint but I knew I had to go long. 600 metres to go, that’s quite a bit long for a sprint! But that’s what I had to do… Unbelievable!
"It’s incredible. Since the Vuelta last year, I think I had seven or eight crashes. And of course, physically, that takes its toll, but also mentally. I thought numerous times that I might not have a future in the sport, because of the crashes and the injuries I’ve had. This year, after the Giro, when I injured my LCL, I thought that could be the nail in the coffin of my cycling career. But I have incredible support around me. My girlfriend is forever there around me and I have an incredible group of friends and family. They back me so much as well. It’s been a long time coming but to repay all of them today means a lot.”
Attacks were everywhere in the first phase of the race, but the peloton was still bunched at Puerto San Xusto. Victor Campenaerts attacked on the descent, while a huge group rejoined him just after the first passage on the line.
Steven Kruijswijk, Attila Valter, Brandon McNulty, Jhonatan Narváez, Carlos Verona, Daniel Felipe Martínez, Quinten Hermans, Xandro Meurisse, George Bennett, Marco Frigo, Matthew Riccitello, Eddie Dunbar, Urko Berrade, Filippo Zana, Max Poole, Gijs Leemreize, Guillaume Martin, and Ion Izagirre bridged across and a lead group of 38 riders took shape.
Meurisse headed out alone in the first Puerto Aguasantas ascent. He put 1.30 minutes into the chase group and almost 7 minutes into the peloton, where Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale was pulling. Bennett was the best-placed attacker, almost 10 minutes down on the red jersey.
The Belgian was still in the race lead as he crested the Puerto Aguasantas for a second time. He was caught with 32 kilometres remaining.
Campanenaerts attacked in the run-up to the Puerto Cruxeiras with Rivera, Mihojlevic, Leemreize, Herrada, Berrade, Verona and Zana in his wheel. The latter three pushed on.
Poole took Zana’s place just before the summit. Roglic struck in the peloton with only Mas in his wheel. The two cooperated well together, but Skjelmose, Rodriguez, Gaudu and Landa rejoined them as the climb flattened out.
Narváez bridges across to the leaders with 2 kilometres to go. Just before the flamme rouge, more riders join, and Eddie Dunbar didn't dilly dally and he came surging past in the last 650 metres. He opened a good gap and powered to the win.
Roglic’s group finished 3.31 minutes later. O’Connor crossed the line 37 seconds after his main rival and Carapaz lost 15 seconds.
“Yes, you can say that I had a hard time! O'Connor said. "It was a steep finish and there’s quite a few guys that were super strong today. It’s not the worst-case scenario. I’m not naive, there’s plenty of guys who are really dangerous in this race. I’ve had better days and that’s the story of La Vuelta for myself so far, good day, average day, good day, average day… Hopefully I can change that and be good every day!”
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