"I’m not naive, there’s plenty of guys who are really dangerous" - Ben O'Connor disappointed but still in red despite time loss on stage 11 of La Vuelta 2024

Ben O'Connor's general classification lead took a blow on stage 11 of the 2024 Vuelta a Espana as the Australian lost time on all of his general classification rivals. Despite the disappointment however, O'Connor remains more than three minutes clear of Primoz Roglic in the GC.

“Yes, you can say that I had a hard time!" O'Connor admits honestly in his post-stage interview afterwards, nevertheless retaining his hope and optimism that a first ever Grand Tour win is in his grasp. "It was a steep finish and there’s quite a few guys that were super strong today. It’s not the worst case scenario."

Whilst, as mentioned, O'Connor does retain a sense of optimism and more than three minutes in the general classification, he fully realises the fragile nature of his standing in the fight for the Red Jersey. "I’m not naive," he explains. "There’s plenty of guys who are really dangerous in this race."

"I’ve had better days and that’s the story of La Vuelta for myself so far, good day, average day, good day, average day…" the Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Team leader concludes his assessment. "Hopefully I can change that and be good every day!”