Eddie Dunbar Joins Q36.5, Determined to Unlock His Potential Eddie Dunbar has confirmed a two-year move to Swiss outfit Q36.5 Procycling and believes the change will help him finally reach the level he has always aimed for. The double Vuelta a España stage winner announced the switch in a team statement and made it clear that major Grand Tours are his primary focus over the next two seasons. The Cork rider is confident that the longer, tougher races suit him and said that although he has shown flashes of his talent, injuries and illness have kept him from unlocking his full potential so far.
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A New Chapter After Jayco AlUla Dunbar will join Q36.5 at the end of the season after three competitive years with Jayco AlUla. During his time there he produced several strong performances, including two stage wins at last year’s Vuelta and a superb seventh-place finish at the 2023 Giro d’Italia. His rising form took a setback this summer when a crash forced him to abandon his first Tour de France after a promising start, highlighted by a fourth-place finish on Stage 6.
Working with a Trusted Coach One of the key attractions of the move is the chance to work with Kurt Bogaerts, Q36.5’s head of performance. Bogaerts has long been involved in Irish cycling and previously worked with Dunbar at Ineos Grenadiers. He believes the 28-year-old is a versatile and powerful rider, capable of performing in demanding conditions and delivering results in both support and leadership roles.
Strong Irish Presence at Q36.5 Dunbar will also join national champion Rory Townsend in the Q36.5 line-up and will ride alongside high-profile names like Tom Pidcock. While Pidcock is clearly the team leader, Dunbar is expected to be given opportunities of his own in selected races, something he finds highly motivating. He praised the team’s mentality and willingness to race aggressively, noting that his relationship with Bogaerts helped convince him that Q36.5 was the right place to continue his development.
Looking Ahead to New Goals Despite the setbacks earlier this year, Dunbar recently returned to racing at the Arctic Race of Norway and is scheduled to ride the upcoming Vuelta a España, one of his final appearances for Jayco AlUla. After that, he will likely join his new team for winter training camps. Both rider and coach are confident that the move comes at the perfect time, with Bogaerts emphasising not just Dunbar’s physical capabilities but also his character and ability to fit seamlessly into the group. They believe there is still untapped potential in Grand Tours—and that the next two years could be where it finally comes to the surface.
