Ben O’Connor held onto the red jersey by just five seconds. (Getty Images: Dario Belingheri) Australian Ben O’Connor has desperately hung on to the red leaders jersey at the Vuelta a España by just 5 seconds on a brutal day in the Asturias mountains of northern Spain.
Decathlon–AG2R La Mondiale described O’Connor’s ride as "heroic" and that he "fought like a lion" to retain his jersey, as three-time winner Primoz Roglič took another big bite out of the Australian’s lead.
There was some confusion at the finish where O’Connor, under the impression that the podium presentation would take place at the base of the Lagos de Covadonga climb, descended the 15-kilometre slope.
After being alerted to the actual location of the presentation, O’Connor was forced into a car and back up the slope, with a police escort dispatched to ease his progress.
"I’m not happy, I can tell you that," O’Connor laughed after the initial frustration had worn off. Photo shows Ben O’Connor smiles and looks down Cyclist Ben O’Connor was painted as "irritating" and unable to handle his emotions during the 2023 Tour de France. Now he’s got the best chance to achieve his ultimate goal. "I’m trying to put on a brave face, but internally I’m a bit pissed.
"I was told to descend down to the bottom, and I descended all the way down to the bottom, but then I was told to come back up. That was a bit frustrating to be honest.
"I could definitely do with a hot shower […]
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