Primoz Roglic finally back into red at 2024 Vuelta a Espana after stunning stage 19 solo cracks Ben O'Connor

After a brave battle over the last two weeks, Ben O'Connor has finally lost the Red Jersey at the 2024 Vuelta a Espana as Primoz Roglic soloed to a stunning stage 19 win atop the brutal Alto de Moncalvillo, cracking the Australian in the process.

Five riders fought their way into the breakaway early on stage 19. Most notable of the leading quintet was UAE Team Emirates' Isaac del Toro, with the Mexican joined by Edward Planckaert, Fran Miholjevic, plus Intermarché - Wanty duo Vito Braet and Simone Petilli.

With around 70km to go, the pace upped noticeably in the peloton and with echelons forming in the wind, the likes of Mattias Skjelmose and Sepp Kuss were caught out behind. After around 10km of frantic chasing however, the peloton was re-formed heading into the final 55km but now less than two minutes down on the lead group of five.

Heading into the final 30km, the breakaway were down to four as Braet dropped back having done all he could to help teammate Petilli. With the time gap still dangling under the two minute mark however, any stage win hopes looked slim, especially given the sharp climb to the finish line at Alto de Moncalvillo.

Miholjevic was the last man standing of the breakaway, but on the lower slopes of the final climb, with just over 9km to go, he too was caught. With Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe controlling the front of the bunch, the infernal pace was beginning to cause difficulties for those in the wheels behind. In fact BORA were so strong that Daniel Martinez, Aleksandr Vlasov and Primoz Roglic were getting a clear gap ahead of all the rest. Although Martinez pulled over soon after, with 5km to go, Roglic and Vlasov had already built up a 26 second advantage, putting the Slovenian in the Red Jersey before he'd even made a move himself.

David Gaudu, Richard Carapaz and Enric Mas were all trying attacks in the chase group behind, with Ben O'Connor fighting to stay in touch. With 3km to go though, Roglic was still a clear leader at the front of the race. The truth is though, those lot were fighting for the scraps, with both the stage win and surely the Red Jersey heading to Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe leader Primoz Roglic ahead of David Gaudu and Mattias Skjelmose in 2nd and 3rd respectively.

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