Adam Blythe hails 'unreal' GC leader Ben O'Connor after 2024 Vuelta a Espana Stage 16 - 'It's make or break'
Updated 03/09/2024 at 19:32 GMT+1
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Ben O'Connor held on to the red jersey at the Vuelta a Espana after a testing Stage 16 at Lagos de Covadonga in Asturias. His lead was cut to just five seconds by a determined Primoz Roglic, but the Australian again defied the sceptics to remain in front with just five stages of the tour remaining. Eurosport pundits Adam Blythe and Dani Rowe were impressed with O'Connor.
Blythe praises ‘true champion’ O’Connor for ‘phenomenal ride’ as he holds onto red
Video credit: TNT Sports
Adam Blythe and Dani Rowe heaped praise on Ben O’Connor after he retained the red jersey by the finest of margins on Stage 16 of Vuelta a Espana.
The Australian saw his overall lead cut to just five seconds by Primoz Roglic on a gruelling day in the mountains, during which Wout van Aert crashed out.
O’Connor took the plaudits after keeping the red jersey for another day, despite many predictions that he would lose his lead far sooner.
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Speaking on Eurosport’s The Breakaway, Blythe said: “Unreal, fair play to the bloke. That was a very tough climb and you could see early on that he was just sticking to what he could do.
“It’s make or break for Ben O’Connor in terms of that red jersey and for the past three mountain stages we’ve been saying ‘this could be the day’. He’s still got another day, possibly two, in that jersey if all things go well.
“But a phenomenal ride by him and he thoroughly deserves it - just chapeau to him, he’s shown his true colours and he is a true champion by hanging on as he’s done.”
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‘What a brave ride!’ – O’Connor keeps hold of red jersey with spirited finish
Video credit: TNT Sports
With just five stages remaining in the Vuelta, keeping his nose in front is the name of the game for O’Connor, who is out to become the first Australian ever to win the Spanish Grand Tour.
“If you’re still in the lead you’re still in the lead,” Blythe added. “He wants to be in that red jersey for as long as he possibly can. Another day in red is all that matters.
“It’s just great for him. He’s given so much to this and you can only take your hat off to him and say well done.
“A little shake of the head as he crossed the line - yet to see what that is about - but he’s still done a great ride.”
- Ben O'Connor's lead slashed to five seconds as Marc Soler wins Stage 16 and Wout van Aert crashes out at Vuelta a Espana
- Wout van Aert's Vuelta a Espana dream shattered as crash ends green and polka dot jersey bid
- 'Totally unnecessary' - Primoz Roglic's tactics under fire at Vuelta a Espana after bike swap and time penalty
The shake of the head may have been an acknowledgement of a strong day for rival Roglic, who had trailed O’Connor by over a minute heading into Stage 16. But the latter remains the man to beat.
Former Olympic champion Rowe said: “He’s such a fighter and he himself has been saying almost ‘when am I going to lose it?’ and we’ve been saying ‘when is he going to lose it?’. But he’s hung on for another day.
“The whole team have stepped up. They (Decathlon-AG2R La Mondiale) were very much in control of the day, from when that breakaway was established early on.
“And we don’t know what’s going to happen in cycling either - look at what happened earlier with Wout van Aert, so he [O’Connor] has to give himself the best opportunity to go all the way to Madrid. Why not?”
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‘Not sure it will last that long’ - O’Connor trying to ‘enjoy’ red jersey ‘as much as I can’
Video credit: TNT Sports
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