Eddie Dunbar Will Return to Cycling in Italy
The cyclist will compete in two upcoming races following his recovery from a collarbone fracture.
Updated on Oct. 3, 2026 in Cycling
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Cyclist Eddie Dunbar will return to competition at the Gran Piemonte on 8 October 2026 after recovering from a fractured collarbone. Dunbar sustained the injury during stage 20 of the Vuelta a España on 12 September 2026.
Why it matters
Dunbar aims to resume his racing season after a difficult year marked by multiple injuries, including a broken rib and ankle sustained in March 2026.
Dunbar spent three months off the bike earlier in 2026 after suffering both a fractured rib and a fractured ankle. He returns to the circuit just weeks after crashing during stage 20 of the Vuelta a España.
The players
Eddie Dunbar
He is a professional cyclist who recently won stage 19 of the Vuelta a España.
Tadej Pogačar
He is a professional cyclist who sustained a concussion and multiple fractures during the Vuelta a España.
The details
Following his crash in Spain, Dunbar utilized an indoor trainer and received specialized treatment from an osteopath at the Santry Sports Clinic to assist his shoulder recovery. He now prepares for his return to outdoor racing alongside other top athletes like Tadej Pogačar, who also dealt with a fractured collarbone this season.
Timeline
March 2026: Dunbar fractured a rib and his ankle.
12 September 2026: Dunbar fractured his collarbone at Vuelta a España.
8 October 2026: Dunbar returns to competition at Gran Piemonte.
10 October 2026: Dunbar rides the Il Lombardia classic.
Season Trajectory
Dunbar’s return marks a critical push to close out a season defined by crashes and medical recovery for top-tier riders. The results of his late-season races in Italy will determine his momentum entering the off-season after being sidelined for much of the 2026 calendar.
Dunbar is scheduled to participate in the Gran Piemonte on 8 October and the Il Lombardia on 10 October. His performance in these Italian classics will provide a clear metric for his physical readiness following his most recent surgery.
The takeaway
Maintaining form after multiple fractures requires significant physical rehabilitation and patience with the recovery process. Athletes must balance the desire to compete with the biological necessity of letting bone injuries heal fully.
Further reading
Follow the latest updates on the professional circuit in our Cycling section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by RTE.
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