What happened to O'Connor's super-domestique Gall on Sunday? And what do Europeans not quite understand?

1.03 minutes. That is Vuelta a España leader Ben O'Connor's lead over his immediate rival and triple winner Primoz Roglic of Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe at the start of the final week. It is an important minute, which the Australian of Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale obviously wants to defend vigorously.

It would have been close to 43 seconds, but Roglic received another time penalty after the stage for staying behind his team's support vehicle. "But I honestly didn't even know he had switched bikes. Those 20 seconds are useful, but that doesn't change, and he will go all-in on Tuesday to take back time."

"It's going to be another tough day," the man from Oceania commented on the ride to Lagos de Covadonga. "I think it will be the same as last week, or at least we will tackle it the same way as last week. I have to be at my best because Saturday's ride, for example, suits me a lot better. It will be an essential ride."

Starting the third week of a major tour as a leader, O'Connor did not immediately expect that. "But I'm still as excited as the day I conquered the jersey. That was pure joy, but now it's maybe more something you have to defend. It hurts every time to lose time, but it is extraordinary that I can wear that jersey for so long. That makes me proud."

O'Connor, who will ride with Jayco AlUla next year, began this Vuelta a España intending to finish around the final podium. Despite having the red leader's jersey, his realistic ambition remains. "Actually, it has always remained that way. I wasn't completely sure of myself when I started the Vuelta a España, but after stage six, I started to believe in it more and more. I hope the last week keeps going well, and I can also cash in."

He still feels fit and focused. "Compared to the Tour, you are less mentally drained here, so that does help. Another element here is that it's climbing every stage, but that's not bad for me. In addition, the heat also plays a role, so you have to be careful not to explode. Friday, that did happen, but the consequences weren't too bad then."

In any case, 2024 will remain a particular year for O'Connor. As the leader of a French team, he did not ride the Tour de France because he became a father in June. Did that positively influence his preparation for this Vuelta a España? "Maybe that makes you feel you are doing it mainly for your family. Especially for Australians, that statement is true," he told IDLProCycling.com.

"My wife is from Australia and came to Europe with all her belongings," he continued. "That's a fact that Europeans may never fully understand. There are many more sacrifices behind this happy face," O'Connor points out. "Think about being unable to see your family and the like, but that makes your good performance even more valuable."

Finally, Decathlon AG2R had two men in the top ten until Sunday, but Austrian Felix Gall finished towards Ciutu Negru in place 129, more than 26 minutes behind. This now puts him 21st instead of eighth. "Felix did start the stage with good legs, but that changed as the stage progressed. It was too bad because it was important for the team to have two men in the top ten. That is no longer the case," said sporting director Cyril Dessel, who was also at the press event.