Eager Eddie strikes gold in Flanders
EDDIE DUNBAR AND DARRAGH O’MAHONY ARE THE FUTURE OF INTERNATIONALCYCLING
A BANTEER cycling hero who is the first ever Irish man to win the U23 Tour of Flanders in Belgium was treated to a heroes welcome home in Kanturk last night.
Just four days after winning the gruelling tour on Saturday, Eddie Dunbar was back on his bicycle in his native Duhallow on Monday, lashing out the pedal power.
Eddie put in a Trojan solo effort which saw him cross the line in Belgium alone, 49 seconds ahead of a chasing group. He attacked with 10 of the 168 kilometres remaining and crossed the line with plenty of time to shoot his hands up into the air. He said the win was easily his biggest to date, adding that it had been a huge relief.
Danny Curtin of O’Leary Stone Kanturk Cycling Club said: “No matter what country he is training in he always comes home to his club and goes training just like any one of the other riders.”
Adding to the sweetness was the fact that fellow club man, Darragh O’Mahony, was also on the Irish team in Belgium.
THERE was a heroes welcome home to Duhallow for the U23 Tour of Flanders winner, Eddie Dunbar last night in Kanturk.
Eddie, who hails from Banteer became the first ever Irish winner of the Under 23 Tour of Flanders on Saturday, with a huge solo effort which saw him cross the line alone, 49 seconds ahead of a chase group behind. He attacked with 10 of the 168 kilometres remaining and crossed the line with plenty of time for the Duhallow man to shoot his hands up into the air.
It was a sweet victory for the impressive cyclist who has been notching up accolades as fast as his legs can cycle.
Eddie, who is is in his second season with American Continental squad Axeon Hagens Berman, called his win in Ouudenaarde, Belgium “definitely the biggest to date”, adding that it was certainly a relief.
Many will agree that his future potential was clearly seen three years ago when he dominated the Junior Tour of Wales and scored two stage wins.
Eddie’s rise has been carefully monitored and grafted by Danny Curtin who admitted with a smile to The Corkman that he did shed a tear on Saturday.
Eddie joined O’Leary Stone Kanturk Cycling Club at U12 level and the no-nonsense talking Mr Curtin said that at that time Eddie had the ability to “keep cycling from morning to night,” but he had to roll up the sleeves and get to work on his time-trials and then in the sprint. That jigsaw of work is now complete and Mr Curtin holds the firm view that Eddie’s latest win will make heads turn in the World Tour and ProContinental ranks.
But, as many already know, what 20-year-old Eddie Dunbar has by the bucket-load is both persistence and diligence and along the way he has picked up great humility and kindness. This is something that Mr Curtin readily agrees with.
“The lovely aspect to Eddie is that no matter what Eddie turns his hand to he is still the same Eddie. No matter what country he is in training and working, he always comes home to us and goes training just like one of the other riders. There is a reason when Eddie is at home that various clubs want him to present their medals and it’s simply because he is a lovely and humble young man. You wouldn’t find better,” said Mr Curtin.
With a smile, he was quick to add, that Eddie can also turn up the heat when it’s needed. “Oh Eddie can bark too and sparks can fly off him, but sure we wouldn’t have it any other way,” said Mr Curtin with a laugh.
He added that when Eddie returns home and goes training he would look up to the older riders in the club. “From the day Eddie joined us, his personality or work ethic hasn’t changed. He is still the same Eddie. He would help anyone out. This is very evident as, since the win on Saturday, my phone hasn’t stopped ringing and texts have been flying in from not just clubs from throughout the country but in every country Eddie has cycled in as everyone is genuinely fond of him,” he said.
He said Sean Kelly contacted Eddie after his win and Kurt Bogaerts who is the manager of the Sean Kelly team also shed tears at Dunbar’s win.
Eddie is the son of Margaret and the late Eamonn and he has two sisters, Siobhan and Margaret.
Adding to the sweetness of Eddie’s victory was the fact that fellow club man and friend, Rockchapel’s Darragh O’Mahony, was also on the Irish Team with Dunbar on Saturday.
Mr Curtin also heaped praise upon the University of Limerick student.
“Darragh is a very quiet and modest young rider, but he has a great thinking mind and is very dedicated. Mark my words, he is also one to watch for the future,” he said.
Mr Curtin recalled that when Darragh first joined the club he was participating in leisure events. “I said to Darragh, “like a good man, would you ever stop those and we’ll do some proper racing... and that’s exactly what he did”. He has phenomenal talent as well and is one to watch out for,” he said.
Darragh is son of Jerry and Mary and he has one sister, Megan.
“This is certainly a monumental time for our club too in Kanturk which has 40 cyclists. We will all remember Flanders for some time to come,” said Mr Curtin.