Neutral zone crash forces Eddie Dunbar out of Vuelta

A crash ahead of stage five has ruled Irish cyclist Eddie Dunbar out of the remainder of the Vuelta Espana.

Team Jayco Alula rider was sitting in 42nd position overall, just over five minutes behind leader Remco Evenepoel crashed in the neutral zone before the 186km stage that begins in Morella.

Dunbar, who had a difficult start to the race on Saturday where he crashed twice during a washed-out team time trial in Barcelona, becomes the third rider to withdraw from the race.

It marks a premature end for the Cork man in his first time riding the iconic race. Earlier this year he finished seventh at the Giro d'Italia.

#LaVuelta23

Unfortunately @EddieDunbar crashed in the neutral zone ahead of the stage 5 start and has been forced to abandon the race ❌

We'll provide a further update soon. pic.twitter.com/q1bKgQ7XZ8