Irish rider Eddie Dunbar produced a sparkling finish to claim the 11th stage of the Vuelta a España on Wednesday while three-time winner Primoz Roglic produced a late surge to chip away at Ben O'Connor's overall lead.

Team Jayco-AlUla's Dunbar spent much of the 166.5 kilometre route in a breakaway pack, suffering on the sharp hills with everyone else, only bursting clear 600 metres from the line in Padron.

Known as a climber, it was a surprise move from the 27-year-old Corkman.

His rivals failed to pick him up until it was too late, allowing him to take his first ever stage victory in a grand tour.

"It's been a while since I've been in a scenario like this, if I'm honest," Dunbar said.

"I just kind of used my experience," he added. "I was suffering a bit on that steep climb, then I realised everyone else was."

Quinten Hermans (Alpecin-Deceuninck) and Max Poole (Team dsm-firmenich PostNL) followed him across the line two seconds behind to complete the stage podium. (AFP)