Eddie Dunbar wins Vuelta’s third-to-last stage and Enric Mas keeps the lead

PEÑAS BLANCAS, Spain (AP) — Irish cyclist Eddie Dunbar won the third-to-last stage of the Vuelta a Espana on Friday and local favorite Enric Mas retained his overall lead and remained the likely champion.

Riding for Pinarello, Dunbar pulled ahead of Santiago Buitrago in the final 400 meters to win the 211-kilometer (131-mile) stage from Vélez-Málaga to Peñas Blancas by 1.4 seconds.

Dunbar amazed himself because he broke his ankle in March when he was hit by a motorbike in Monaco.

"This year has been hell. I spent three months unable to get on the bike — three months sidelined by a mishap," he said. "Honestly, I didn't expect a day like this at all, nor did I expect to win a stage like this. I can't believe it."