Eddie Dunbar has moved into the top five in general classification at Giro d'Italia after a remarkable ride on a punishing stage 16, which saw the Corkman go toe-to-toe with the main contenders.
On a significant day for Irish cycling, Ben Healy took the King of the Mountains jersey after an impressive display in a breakaway that was only reeled in on the final climb of a 203-km stage that saw over 5,000m of climbing.
Dunbar finished fourth on the stage, 25 seconds behind Joao Almeida, who finished in the same time as new pink jersey holder Geraint Thomas.
The 26-year-old Team Jayco AlUla man finished on the same time as pre-race favourite Primoz Roglic, moving into the top five of general classification, 3'03" behind Thomas.
Having targeted a top-10 finish before the first stage, Dunbar is overperforming in only his second Grand Tour, but speaking to Eurosport after today's stage he was not getting carried away.
"It's not a victory or anything, it's a fourth place. You have to take that into account. I'm still off the top guys G [Thomas] and Almeida, but it's a positive day," he said.
"This is all I've ever wanted, to have an opportunity in a race like this. Thankfully the team, Jayco AlUla have put belief in me."
Portuguese rider Almeida saw off Thomas with an impressive late sprint on the slopes of Monte Bondone.
Almeida (UAE Team Emirates) launched his attack with around five kilometres remaining and beat Thomas in a two-man sprint to earn his first Giro stage win.
Ineos Grenadiers rider Thomas, who lost the overall lead to Bruno Armirail on Saturday, leads Almeida by 18 seconds in the general classification.
Ineos, who have already lost Tao Geoghegan Hart to a fractured hip and Filippo Ganna to Covid, suffered another blow when Pavel Sivakov abandoned the race midway through Tuesday's ride, which began at Sabbio Chiese.
Sivakov was injured in the crash that ended Geoghegan Hart's race on Stage 11. His withdrawal leaves Thomas with only four support riders in the final week.
Wednesday's stage 17 is a relatively flat 195km route from Pergine Valsugana to Caorle.
Additional reporting: Reuters
