O'Connor keeps Roglic in check and leads in Vuelta a España after week one: "Showed my strength"
CyclingMonday, 26 August 2024 at 13:18
Ben O'Connor heads into the first day of rest at the Vuelta a España as the red jersey holder. The Australian of Decathlon-AG2R La Mondiale skillfully held his position in the grueling ninth stage, even though he lost time on stage winners Adam Yates (UAE Team Emirate) and Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost).
O'Connor saw Yates perform a masterpiece around the Sierra Nevada. 'I'm very pleased he won today,' O'Connor told the flash interview. "He spends a lot of time here, so that's very nice and suiting for him. We let him get away today; he wasn't someone who was immediately on our radar." Although it looked like Yates would gain more time back at first, after Sunday, he is seventh at 5.30 minutes from the GC leader.
Not only did Yates regain time, but Carapaz also did excellent business. "Carapaz surprised me; he held on so long." The Ecuadorian is now in the top three, 4.32 behind O'Connor. "Obviously, it was so hot; we were all feeling it at the foot of the last climb," the Australian continued. "I'm super happy with how we did. We stayed very calm; we led from the front row when needed. Felix (Gall, ed.) was great on the last climb. We showed that we are here to fight."
O'Connor grabs bonification seconds: "Every second counts"
Although Enric Mas broke away on the final climb, O'Connor and the other favorites managed to overtake him again. As a result, the red jersey holder managed to snatch the last bonification seconds from his competitors. "Every second counts," O'Connor laughed. "I didn't lose any time. Maybe on some guys, but I showed what I can do." Primoz Roglic, after his stage win on Saturday, failed to make a mark: the Slovenian struggled and could not create gaps against his rivals.
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Latest Comments
- Van Aert is really handsome. He can influence me all day! Ditto for Philipsen. Why do you think many of us love cycling?: to see heroic attempts at climbing mountains at high altitudes or to watch speedsters sprint for the finish line or to watch a human being ride at break neck speed down a tricky descent? No, it's all about their lean physiques and muscular legs. (apologies for objectifying these dedicated and amazing athletes).BarwonHeadsUp25-10-2024
- It is unfortunate that the author can't feel the joy that Pogacar brings to the sport and his fans who are legion and I for one feel lucky to have watched such a memorable performance and historic season From the Strada until yesterday with multiple wins in stages in both tours and beyond dominance in the World's. He is proud to wear the Rainbow stripes, shows his leadership to protect his fellows and is as courteous and sportsman-like as the sport allows. He goes early to not have to respond to each attack as all the rest would make him do it. Any racer who could would do the same. Don't "grow tired" of greatness as it is always fleeting.ccrider13-10-2024
- What load of rubbish. Pog is likely a once in a generation cyclist, the like of which hasn't been seen since 'the Cannibal '. How many people were complaining that Merckx was making racing predictable? I remember this year's World RR as one of the most exciting I've watched. Mainly BECAUSE Pog was the favourite and launched what everyone thought (Pog included) was a suicidal attack with 80km to go. For the next 2 hours, I was on the edge of my seat thinking "this is too much, even for Pog". Maybe Zonnefeld prefers the snooze-fest that is a bunch sprint? Like most people I know, I can't watch two hours of the bunch riding very fast... I wait for the final 5km and watch just the sprint. In any event, most races are won from a sprint or lone break. What difference does it make who makes the lone break? Ultimately, the other contenders will have to figure out a way to beat Pog. Even if that means collaboration between teams. It's going to be an exciting few seasons, until the next Pog arrives on the scene. If this is boring, heaven knows what exciting looks like!Michael513-10-2024
- This is not a gravel race. UCI fail, from the surface they are on to team tactics. In what country was the first "gravel race" in what country is the most popular gravel race? Go with the race model that created the discipline.
Barnes127411-10-2024 - And don't forget he has now won 4 of the big 10 races (Grand tours, Monuments and WC/OG) in one year with a chance to make that 5. (5 has only been done once before)Joostmehrtens05-10-2024