Ireland's Eddie Dunbar won stage 19 of the Vuelta a España with a late attack, catching Santiago Buitrago near the summit finish, as Spain's Enric Mas retained his overall lead.
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Key facts
- Eddie Dunbar of Pinarello Q36.5 won stage 19 by 14 seconds.
- He caught and passed Santiago Buitrago with 300 metres remaining.
- Enric Mas maintained his 1min 37sec lead in the red jersey race.
- The 210km stage ran from Vélez-Málaga to Peñas Blancas.
- One mountain stage remains before Sunday's finale.
Irishman Eddie Dunbar produced a dramatic late victory on stage 19 of the Vuelta a España, catching and passing Colombian Santiago Buitrago with just 300 metres left of the summit finish at Peñas Blancas, according to the Guardian.
The 30-year-old Pinarello Q36.5 rider won the stage by 14 seconds after the mountainous 210km route from Vélez-Málaga, the Guardian reported. The BBC also confirmed Dunbar as the winner of the 19th stage.
Spaniard Enric Mas held on to his overall lead in the race for the red jersey, maintaining his advantage of 1min 37sec, the Guardian reported.
The result leaves Mas closing in on what would be his first Vuelta a España title, with the general classification battle still to be settled.
According to the Guardian, only one mountain stage remains before Sunday’s finale, while the BBC noted there are two stages left in the race.
Dunbar’s win added a further highlight to the closing days of the Grand Tour, with the outcome of the overall classification poised to be decided in the remaining stages.
Why it matters
The Vuelta a España is one of cycling's three Grand Tours, and its closing stages often decide the overall winner. Mas holding his lead puts the Spaniard on course for a potential first Vuelta title, while Dunbar's late attack underlined the drama of the summit finishes.
Frequently asked questions
Who won stage 19 of the Vuelta a España?
Ireland's Eddie Dunbar of Pinarello Q36.5 won stage 19, catching and passing Santiago Buitrago with 300 metres to go and finishing 14 seconds ahead.
Does Enric Mas still lead the Vuelta?
Yes. Mas maintained his overall lead, keeping his advantage of 1min 37sec in the red jersey race.
How many stages are left in the race?
The Guardian reported one mountain stage remains before Sunday's finale, while the BBC noted there are two stages left.
Timeline
- Dunbar wins stage as Mas maintains lead in Vuelta
BBC Sport: Ireland's Eddie Dunbar wins the 19th stage of the Vuelta a Espana as Spain's Enric Mas maintains his overall lead with two stages remaining.
- Mas closes on first Vuelta after Dunbar reels in Buitrago to win stage 19 summit finish
The Guardian Sport: Pinarello Q36.5 rider Dunbar wins stage by 14 seconds Mas maintains his 1min 37sec cushion in red jersey race Irishman Eddie Dunbar secured a stunning last-ditch victory on stage 19 of the Vuelta a España as Spaniard Enric Mas maintained his overall lead with only one mountain st