Possible Roglic/Mas alliance doesn’t intimidate Vuelta leader O’Connor: "Cycling is about making alliances"
Cycling
Ben O'Connor (Decathlon AG2R) didn’t have the best day as the leader of the Vuelta a España. The Australian lost 38 seconds to his main rivals, Primoz Roglic and Enric Mas, and he wasn't very pleased about it, as he hinted in the post-stage flash interview.
Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe and Movistar, the teams of Roglic and Mas, deployed so-called satellite riders in the breakaway. These riders dropped back before and after the steep final climb to increase the gap to the wearer of the red jersey as much as possible.
"I had a tough time, a really tough time," O'Connor admitted honestly. "From the start of the stage, the pace was very high, and that final climb was really something. Maybe I could have paced my effort better, but still: I'm still in the red jersey, and another day has passed."
Read more below the photo.
Roglic and Mas alliance? "That's just how the sport is"
The Aussie is the first to recognize that this Vuelta a España is far from over after eleven days. "It's a battle, every single stage. Those punchy stages are tough for me if I'm not at my best, so hopefully, we'll be back in the real mountains soon." He eventually crossed the finish line in the third group of general classification riders, alongside Adam Yates, among others.
The fact that Movistar and Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe occasionally help each other out doesn’t bother him. "Cycling is about making alliances; that's just how the sport is. I'm not happy with my time loss, but there's nothing I can do about it. I have to improve, and that's what I'm going to work on in the coming days."
In the general classification of this Vuelta a España, O'Connor now holds a 3:16-minute lead over Roglic, with Mas close behind at 3:58.
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Latest Comments
- This was very informative! Luiz Antonio Duarte Ferreiraluizantonioduarteferreira02-01-2025
- Well explained, thanks for the clarity! Daniel DantasDanieldantas20-12-2024
- This is the kind of 'news' that belongs in a cheap tabloid. No matter how boring the offseason gets, nobody wants to read this.
santiagobenites19-12-2024 - I wish we could have seen him try. He'd absolutely get dropped before Pogi overtakes his domestiquesVeganpotter10-12-2024
- Talk is cheap! Next year barring crashes with a healthy team... all well be on track! Some need to talk to make a headline!mootman27-11-2024
- I do not see this event listed on HBO Max Sports Online? Can anyone confirm? Thanks!
MrYuck23-11-2024 - It seemed that he was focusing forward at the time of the crash, after seeing a quick video snippet. But one thing I think he should focus on more intently is breaking a bad habit he has, right now. And that is his constant looking over his shoulders. He does that so much, that I am very sure it is not good for him. Simply watch videos of the greats of CX and you will see very little of that constant looking over their shoulders. That is a behavior that betrays a bit of insecurity on his part. He shouldn't be so concerned, incessantly, about what is over his shoulder. He needn't worry they didn't all disappear. He neds to keep his focus more ahead of himself, and he needs to pay a bit more attention to himself, in a confident manner. It is very frustrating to watch, because it is apparent that he has a lot of potential, and is in much better shape thwan many of his competitors, but the mental game needs to be sharpened more, because that part of strategy plays a huge part in the final results
reemmo022-11-2024 - hahahaha love this shit! I didnt even watched the race, but reading all the gossip articles of how stupid this is!Zatoichi19-11-2024
- 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