“Hopefully I can follow Pogacar when he attacks" - Ben O'Connor expecting GC attacks on stage 2 of Giro d'Italia
CyclingSunday, 05 May 2024 at 15:00
Crossing the line in 19th place on stage 1, Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Team's Ben O'Connor already finds himself 14 seconds down on Tadej Pogacar at the 2024 Giro d'Italia.
With a mountainous finale to stage 2 on the mythical slopes of Oropa, the Australian is predicting more GC attacks this afternoon. “The first day is always tricky, it's different for each person. I often have some difficulty getting started, that's why I'm happy that I rode well yesterday," reflected O'Connor in his pre-race interview ahead of stage 2.
Although Tadej Pogacar didn't manage to take the stage on the opening day, that honour going to Jhonatan Narvaez of the INEOS Grenadiers, the Slovenian managed to take time on all his main rivals and O'Connor is expecting Pogacar to attack again on stage 2.
Will the Australian be able to match the UAE Team Emirates leader on Oropa? “Hopefully I can follow Pogacar when he attacks," O'Connor assesses. "I'm going to try to ride my best climb and then I'll see where it ends up.”
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- And looking old and tired. Don’t really understand what fans were expecting from either of the two in the last days after what they did these 3 weeks.Mistermaumau26-07-2025
- Definitely time to start handing out punishment for mobbing, intimidation and such considering it is often strategically used. That’s only one step down from the next level of action, making someone fall if no-one is paying attention or it can be made to look like an accident.Mistermaumau26-07-2025
- You may be right on a lot of things but maybe not the buyout. If Soudal feel he will go anyway, they’ll likely take 2 coz he’s not going to be worth that much to them until next year when they will get sweet f.a. Nobody is going to offer 10 or even 5 if they know they can get him free next year. The party that has the biggest interest in waiting it out is actually probably Remco himself. Next year without the buyout, there will be more available for offering in salary and there could also be more teams bidding without the extra cost. Pecking order might also be a bit clearer by then what with all the new data from the Tour to consider and the unhappy marriages to resolve.Mistermaumau26-07-2025
- They are both cooked. I wonder if Tadej will go to the Vuelta? If Jonas goes I doubt he will. I believe his cold was much worse than he let on. This last week he has been a bit more serious than usual.awp26-07-2025
- Not a bad theory.awp26-07-2025
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- They aren't letting him go for 2M even though he has just one year left, if he's going it will be closer to 10M at least. I don't believe he is going to a german team that has a clear german leader who is a year younger and potentially a better stage racer than Remco. This makes no sense for Bora and if true it makes little sense for Remco to join a team where he has to compete for leadership from day one.awp26-07-2025
- Pogi said he was hoping Jonas would start his sprint in time for them both to catch Arensman (and then he would use his last reserves of energy to go for the win). But Jonas had the same plan for Pogi, and so waited a few seconds too long before sprinting. When Pog saw that Arensman would win, there was no point coming past Jonas.Hill3326-07-2025
- LA’s desperate attempts at continuing relevance.mobk26-07-2025
That was the dumbest move in a long time, Thomas done the right thing. It`s a bit like Hamilton trying to follow Max, it`s just not going to happen. Hope he learns as he is a very talanted rider.
I wonder if among the battery of tests they do to decide whether to employ a rider they should consider IQ. Obviously riders don’t need super scores and probably it’s best not even to have a decent one but a minimum might help avoid some situations.
That does not sounded the smartest strategy...
if he tries to follow he will blow himself up. Just like Skjelmose. and then repent afterwards
I told you so🤦