Dunbar Abandoned Stage 20 with Injury as Mas Secures Vuelta Lead

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Dunbar Abandoned Stage 20 with Injury as Mas Secures Vuelta Lead
Eddie Dunbar, Enric Mas, Mikel Landa

The 2026 Vuelta a España saw Eddie Dunbar crash out of Stage 20 with a fractured collarbone, while Spain's Enric Mas seizes overall victory and Mikel Landa wins a challenging stage in Collado del Alguacil.

The Corkman Eddie Dunbar was a key member of a breakaway pursuit group early on Saturday's 186.8 kilometre lap of Stage 20 in the 2026 Vuelta a España, which began in La Calahorra and finished in Collado del Alguacil.

While the team moved ahead of the peloton, a sudden crash in the mountains caused a hard fall that forced Dunbar to abandon the race. Pinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling confirmed the 30‑year‑old was taken to hospital for immediate assessment. Race officials later updated that Dunbar sustained a shoulder injury and a possible fracture to the collarbone, adding to a series of injuries that have plagued the rider this season.

In March he abandoned the Paris‑Nice stage race after breaking a rib, and on an unrelated slip he hurt his ankle when a scooter struck him after he returned to the team's base in Monaco. Despite spending a full three months out of action, Dunbar proved his grit when he fought back to win Friday's 19th stage in the small town of Peñas Blancas, a result that brought him congratulations from fans and teammates alike.

Meanwhile, the overall campaign has been dominated by Spain's Enric Mas, who has all but sealed his place at the summit of the general classification. The 31‑year‑old showed no signs of faltering when he rode the brutal climbs of the Sierra Nevada, keeping a steady lead over heavyweights Primoz Roglic, Felix Gall, and Richard Carapaz.

At the finish line he pushed the time gap to two minutes and fifteen seconds, a margin that will secure victory for the home rider given the final ceremonial circuit will be held in Granada tomorrow. Mas will become the first Spaniard to win the Vuelta since Alberto Contador's triumph twelve years ago, a historic moment that has already filled the stands with applause.

Adding a local hero to the narrative, Norwegian rider Mikel Landa carved his way to win the stage from Collado del Alguacil. The victory marked Landa's first stage win in seven years and was a bright spot for the crowd as they watched a national competitor take the top honours.

In other news from the race, participants were singled out for their performances and injuries throughout the U23 and women's tours, including a dramatic cliffhanger victory in the Rás na mBan. The event was highlighted by Aoife O'Brien's points title win, underscoring the growing importance of endurance cycling in the region.

Off the track, a charity organization involved in local fundraising was hit with more than 170 warnings from the regulator for overdue accounts, a reminder of the challenges that accompany large sporting events. The 2026 Vuelta a España has been filled with drama and determination, as riders battle punishing climbs, unpredictable weather, and off‑bike incidents.

The combination of heroic recoveries, national pride, and the looming threat of injuries keeps the event a staple for cycling enthusiasts worldwide, and the story of Eddie Dunbar's return and subsequent crash adds yet another chapter to the storied legacy of Grand Tour racing

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IrishTimes /  🏆 3. in İE

Eddie Dunbar Enric Mas Mikel Landa Vuelta A Espana Stage 20 Collarbone Injury

 

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