Ben O’Connor (Decathlon-AG2R) completed a nearly perfect day in the sixth stage of 79th Tour of Spain with his solo victory in Yunquera (Málaga), which also allowed him to lead the general classification and also join the group of cyclists who have won stages in the Giro, Tour and Vuelta.
“It’s fantastic and I have a great space. It was a great opportunity to fight the best and it was one of my best achievements. Now I will enjoy every moment,” he said after wearing the red Vuelta jersey for the first time.
“I will do my best and see how far I can go as a leader”he said.
As for the fact of joining the hundred historic cyclists who have won stage wins in the big three, the Australian assured that this is his “great goal” before starting the Vuelta. “It’s great to win the big three. It’s something that’s been on my mind since the start of the Vuelta.”
O’Connor admits he doesn’t understand why some of the favorites didn’t include him in the Vuelta. “After the Giro, where I was fourth, the Vuelta was my second big goal of the season from the start.”
Regarding the nearly five-minute advantage (4:51) he accumulated over Slovenian Primoz Roglic (Red Bull-Bora), whom he knocked out of the lead, he insisted it was a significant difference.
“I’m not bad at long climbs. I want to enjoy the Vuelta step by step”he said.
O’Connor explained that on the final stretch of the stage he envisioned a time when he could overtake the pack of favourites. “I’m clear I’m going to win the stage and I’m thinking about the time I’m going to get. I want to enjoy the last moment.”
Source: La Verdad
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