The Australian Ben O’Connor (Decathlon), leader of Back to Spainenjoyed the second day of rest in Asturias “proud and excited” to wear the red jersey, but aware that it will be difficult to keep it until Madrid.
“Starting the last week of a grand tour as leader is great and special, something I did not expect, but I am proud to be in this position. The red gave me the highest emotion and now we have to work. It is it’s hard to keep the red jersey , but I’ll do everything to keep it,” said the “Aussie” cyclist.
O’Connor took the lead on day six and now holds a 1.03 lead over Slovenian Primoz Roglic, his nearest rival.
“Leading a stage race is a completely different experience, I’ve never had it. I’ve been on the podium in stage races, even close to winning one, but I’ve never led a grand tour, ” he explained.
What O’Connor will remember most is “the mental approach of the whole team and how we worked together,” he detailed.
With 2.44 minutes ahead of the fourth-placed Ecuadorian Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost), six days before his arrival in Madrid, Ben O’Connor can aim to finish for the first time in his career, at least in the first three in a big one.
“The podium is always the goal in this Vuelta. Before the sixth stage I didn’t think I could be in the top five, but after this stage, my chances increased. I hope last week goes well and I am at my best level” he commented.
Ahead of Tuesday’s day in Lagos de Covadonga, O’Connor said it was “a very difficult and very important stage. With this 20-second penalty and his delay, I’m sure Primoz Roglic will give everything to try to win. I.”
Ben O’Connor will spend next season with Jayco AlUla.
“I spent four years at Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale and I felt it was time for a change. I still love this team, I have that feeling. This is how I’m leaving,” he concluded.
Source: La Verdad
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