With three of the last four Grand Tours having been won by either Tadej Pogacar or Jonas Vingegaard, with the latter also coming second to his own teammate at the 2023 Vuelta a Espana, the superstar rivals have suffocated the top of the GC standings in recent years.
At the 2024 Vuelta a Espana however, neither Pogacar or Vingegaard is present. In their absence, Ben O'Connor has shone brightly and enters the final week with more than a minutes lead in the fight for the Red Jersey. Speaking to Eurosport, the Australian admitted things were more enjoyable without the aforementioned duo present.
"It’s a lot more enjoyable," O’Connor says in a rest day interview with Eurosport. "You feel super involved in the race, which is one of the best things. When those two boys are there and they are a class above, it can be hard, because you never have that opportunity."
The Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Team leader finished 4th at the Giro d'Italia behind Pogacar earlier this year and in the past, has finished 4th at the Tour de France. At this Vuelta however, he's spent over a week in the race lead. "Here, I have this jersey now for 10 days, which is something that wasn’t possible in the Giro for example," he explains honestly. "It’s just been a pleasure to be here and have that shot.”
Winning the Vuelta a Espana is still far from certain however, with Primoz Roglic breathing down O'Connor's neck. "Friday’s stage really suits Primoz a lot so that’s a big battle. To be honest the day I'm looking forward to most is Saturday. The Picon Blanco stage. It’s almost 5000 metres of climbing. It’s the kind of day I always love - that's my kind of jam," he concludes. “Once the Vuelta is finished in Madrid I'll also have a nice celebration and I’ll be even happier then.”
2e semaine de @lavuelta avec le maillot rouge 🇪🇸 Du courage, de la douleur et beaucoup d'émotions. Encore 6 jours à tenir ⚔️ That was week 2 of @lavuelta 🇪🇸 A lot of courage, pain and emotions. 6 stages to go to keep that red jersey! ⚔️ #DECATHLONAG2RLAMONDIALETEAM ©️ Getty
