2024 Vuelta a Espana GC Update after stage 16: Brave Ben O'Connor narrowly holds onto race lead from Primoz Roglic!

Stage 16 of the Vuelta a Espana 2024 kicked off the third and final week of the race, with the general classification fight igniting on the iconic Lagos de Covadonga.

The Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Team leader, Ben O'Connor started the stage with a lead of just over 1 minute on Primoz Roglic, and even more over Enric Mas. The leaders of Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe and Movistar Team were obliged to attack during the stage, while Mikel Landa, Richard Carapaz, Carlos Rodriguez, Florian Lipowitz and others also still held ambitions.

Indeed, the race exploded in Lagos de Covadonga. O'Connor was dropped very early on the climb, which Mas took advantage of to accelerate in the group of favourites and try to change the red jersey's owner. The climb turned into a time trial for the Australian, who, battling incredibly bravely, manage to save the lead by just 5 seconds!

Roglic entered the finish with Mas, Carapaz and David Gaudu. The Slovenian is close to the red jersey, but will still have to keep fighting. Enric, meanwhile, cut to 1:25 on O'Connor, and remains 1:20 behind Primoz after entering ahead of him at the finish, as in Cuitu Negru.