One picture in all probability summed up Ben O’Connor’s stoic defence of his Vuelta a España lead on its hardest mountain stage so far – the second when the Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale chief blasted throughout the end line in Granada to assert third on the day, and 4 bonus seconds into the discount.
The minimal time regained by O’Connor in Granada will virtually actually be irrelevant come the end in Madrid in two weeks’ time. But on a day when for some, however not all, race observers thought his lack of the crimson jersey had been all however taken as a right, to have the ability to get the higher hand on his rivals, albeit briefly, will need to have felt just like the icing on an already tasty cake.
Despite their lack of current race expertise in defending Grand Tour leads – the earlier time for Decathlon was within the 2009 Tour de France – O’Connor’s group did all the pieces anticipated of them, and extra, within the mountains of Sierra Nevada.
Even whereas arch-rivals Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe saved up a gentle tempo on the primary two ascents of the day, in anticipation of a Primož Roglič assault that by no means materialised, O’Connor remained absolutely supported. Then on the final crunch ascent of Hazallanas and all the way in which to the end in Granada, key wingman and climbing ace Felix Gall was nonetheless there to again up the Australian.
After Saturday’s unexpectedly massive time loss at Cazorla, ceding almost a minute to Roglič on a single steep 5km climb, O’Connor had hardly been in essentially the most upbeat of moods on the stage 8 end. But 24 hours later Granada, he was visibly in a significantly better place as he donned his fourth crimson jersey of the race.
“I felt way more as much as what I do know I can do,” O’Connor mentioned. “We had an amazing day as we speak as a group, and I confirmed I’m not going to be pushed over for this crimson jersey. It was significantly better than yesterday.
“I’m not involved that Adam Yates received as we speak, he spends a number of time down right here, so it was type of good and becoming for him. We let him within the break as we speak as a result of he wasn’t an ‘absolute should’ [to chase down] on our radar. So all credit score to him.”
O’Connor mentioned that though he knew the ascents of El Purche and Hazallanas very properly from repeat altitude coaching camps at Sierra Nevada, it wasn’t essentially a bonus as “all people is aware of them, in order that doesn’t change something”.
“The worst was Monachil” – the choice title for El Purche, the primary climb of the day – “as a result of I don’t know why however I all the time really feel horrible on it. But I like the ending circuit.”
O’Connor mentioned he had been stunned at Carapaz’s spectacular long-distance transfer, attacking with at least 90 kilometres to go, significantly as “it was so sizzling and we had been all a bit cooked on the foot of the final climb.”
But he additionally paid credit score to his group’s stellar collective efficiency saying he was “tremendous pleased with how we rode, we had been actually composed and we led from the entrance after we wanted to. Felix was wonderful as we speak, so it exhibits we’re nonetheless right here to combat.
“Every second counts, and I didn’t lose time as we speak – to some guys sure, however in the long run I confirmed an actual capability for what I can do. So I’m proud.”
Saturday’s setback was not one thing O’Connor had bargained for, however due to Sunday’s stronger-than-expected defence, to not point out that four-second time bonus, his total benefit continues to be standing tall at 3:53.
Globally, then the Australian’s weekend efficiency on the climbs of southern Spain can solely be certified as a significant success – and one which suggests he’ll proceed to be a significant GC participant because the Vuelta now heads north.
Get limitless entry to all of our protection of the 2024 Vuelta a España – together with breaking information and evaluation reported by our journalists on the bottom from each stage because it occurs and extra. Find out extra.
