GRAND TOURS “A LOT MORE ENJOYABLE” WITHOUT TADEJ POGACAR & JONAS VINGEGAARD ACCORDING TO VUELTA LEADER BEN O’CONNOR

With three of the last four Grand Tours dominated by either Tadej Pogacar or Jonas Vingegaard, including Vingegaard’s second-place finish behind his own teammate at the 2023 Vuelta a España, the rivalry between these two superstars has largely suffocated competition at the top of the General Classification (GC) standings in recent years.

However, at the 2024 Vuelta a España, neither Pogacar nor Vingegaard is competing. In their absence, Australian cyclist Ben O’Connor has emerged as a standout performer, entering the final week of the race with a lead of over a minute in the fight for the Red Jersey. Speaking to Eurosport, O’Connor admitted that the competition has been more enjoyable without the presence of the two cycling giants.

“It’s a lot more enjoyable,” O’Connor said during 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’re a class above, it can be hard because you never have that opportunity.”

O’Connor, who rides for Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale, finished 4th behind Pogacar at the Giro d’Italia earlier this year and has also secured a 4th-place finish at the Tour de France in the past. However, at this Vuelta, he has spent more than a week in the race lead. “Here, I’ve had this jersey for 10 days now, which is something that wasn’t possible in the Giro, for example,” he explained. “It’s just been a pleasure to be here and have that shot.”

Despite his current lead, winning the Vuelta a España is far from guaranteed, with Primoz Roglic close behind. “Friday’s stage really suits Primoz a lot, so that’s a big battle,” O’Connor noted. “To be honest, the day I’m looking forward to most is Saturday. The Picon Blanco stage. It’s almost 5000 meters of climbing. It’s the kind of day I always love—that’s my kind of jam,” he concluded. “Once the Vuelta is finished in Madrid, I’ll also have a nice celebration, and I’ll be even happier then.”