Ben O’Connor abandons Vuelta a Espana before the Angliru

Ben O’Connor, last year’s runner-up at the Vuelta a España, has abandoned the 2025 edition of the race. The Australian rider, who carried the red jersey deep into the 2024 race before being overhauled by Primoz Roglic, abandoned at the start of stage 13, the queen stage to the Angliru.

O’Connor’s withdrawal follows a crash earlier in the race that left him unable to compete at his usual level. While he battled on through the opening days, the lingering effects prevented him from getting involved in the general classification fight. With the race now heading into its decisive mountain stages, he stepped off his bike on stage 13.

It is a frustrating end to the Vuelta for a rider who has established himself as a podium rider last year. In addition to his second place overall in Spain last season, O’Connor was also runner-up at the 2024 World Championships. This summer, he added a career-defining victory at the Tour de France, winning the queen stage on the fearsome Col de la Loze.

Despite arriving at the Vuelta with ambitions to contend again, his crash stripped away any chance of repeating his exploits from the past two seasons. Instead of duelling with the favorites on the Angliru, O’Connor will leave the race behind this time.