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O'Connor said after the stage he felt he was the second strongest in today's stage but also the dumbest. Spot on on the second claim, but we love him for that. More to come later this week.
I think O’Conner showed enough to prove a) he’s in good form and b) he can do well this Giro providing he doesn’t try to match the great one again.
But he didn’t completely crack like, for example, when Cadel Evans tried to follow a rampant Rasmussen and Contador on PdB in 2007 TdF. On that day Evans blew and lost nearly two minutes in the final 5km. Lost the TdF by 23 seconds.
But he didn’t completely crack like, for example, when Cadel Evans tried to follow a rampant Rasmussen and Contador on PdB in 2007 TdF. On that day Evans blew and lost nearly two minutes in the final 5km. Lost the TdF by 23 seconds.
O'Connor was 94.6 % as quick as Pogi on Oropa and 13th fastest on the climb.
Evans was 95.9 % as quick as Contador on PdB and 7th fastest on the climb.
Good ride today. Took 20 seconds out of Martinez. Obviously it comes back to the mountains if he can grab a podium but he isn't out of the picture at +39'.
He went very deep ahead of a very hard stage. I’m hoping he can recover and at least stay with Martinez as I’m generally a fan of O’Connor. I think he saved Ag2R-Citroen with some of his performances when they were struggling a bit; now he can reap the benefits of decathlons investment.
Solid ride by O'Connor. Age seems to have affected Thomas more in the TT's than the climbs. Wonder what Froome thinks, seeing Thomas still riding so well. None of them are even trying to follow Pogacar for more than a short time so it's a true battle for second spot.
Not even the best on his team today. Disappointing Giro, despite the Van Rysel boost.
What did he say? I read this story which said he was sick? Not defending him, just want to know the truth.
'I'm not at my best' - Ben O'Connor sick and struggling but not broken at Giro d'Italia
'Hopefully, I can be good by Saturday' says Australian after losing time on the Passo Brocon finish
www.cyclingnews.com
Since when is 4th on GC in a GT a disappointing result for a rider of his calibre.
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What did he say? I read this story which said he was sick? Not defending him, just want to know the truth.
'I'm not at my best' - Ben O'Connor sick and struggling but not broken at Giro d'Italia
'Hopefully, I can be good by Saturday' says Australian after losing time on the Passo Brocon finish
I believe workers should indeed stand up for their rights. But what razzed me were his imperious comments about “I’d like to see others ride this” and then see what they say. Then a number of commentators amplified the comment and continue the theme of the critics don’t understand how difficult it is. Yeah, it’s difficult, but I know I’ve ridden (and I’m sure others on the forum) in worse conditions, except did so without a team support vehicle, without radios (or cellphones) to call for assistance, and of course without getting paid. I suppose to be fair I shouldn’t be so critical of a rider who says stupid stuff because someone happens to stick a microphone in their face. Worse are all the various commentators (broadcast and online) saying he’s so brave to speak the truth.
Not to mention his disrespect for the race he’s getting paid to ride, and that many find it a privilege to ride.
With the form he had in the spring, the level his team was at and the field of this giro, to not achieve the podium I think should be disappointing for him. Perhaps an opportunity he won't get again.
Thanks, I see where you are coming from. Yes, it is unprofessional. But we should not underestimate the mental pressure of riding for GC.
In the heat of the moment when you are already sick (per the story) and under immense physical and mental pressure saying stupid stuff should be left as " what is said on the field stays on the field". I am sure this is how Mauro Vegni would see it.
If he continues to act that way he deserves condemnation. But in the context I don't think this is a hanging offense - a bit like Evan's "don't stand on my dog" outburst. I think O'Conner finished the Giro well after his troubles earlier in the week.
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He's been doing far too little conquering for my taste.
He's part of my "Foreign Legion" CQ game team.
He's part of my "Foreign Legion" CQ game team.
I agree, in principle. But he did not say it "on the field". He said it publicly to a journalist (on camera). He should have shut up instead, and made any comments privately to those whom it may have concerned. So now he's blameworthy for his utterances.
Yes he should have shut up. That is why I said it was unprofessional. But it wasn't that bad. I doubt Vegni even gave it two seconds thought.
The sad thing is this slip up has overshadowed what was still a decent ride by O'Conner even if he fell short of a podium, likely because fell sick earlier in the week.
He probably only said aloud what the vast majority of the peloton were thinking. Mistake, hopefully he learned from it. O’Connor is a bit of an odd duck, anyway. All that said, he’s now got a pretty decent GT record, one that most riders would kill for. Decathlon were pretty quick to anoint Gall as their next GC star but I’m not yet convinced that he and O’Connor aren’t on pretty similar levels. O’Connor has also improved his ITT.
He was sick. To finish with Martinez and Thomas on the Grappa stage must count for something?
www.cyclingnews.com
Ben O’Connor fights illness to secure GC fourth as Decathlon AG2R celebrates successful Giro d’Italia
‘We can be happy with our results’ says Australian after going deep on Monte Grappa
www.cyclingnews.com
Good result. Illness at the wrong time cost him any chance at third. Glad he hung onto fourth place.
Having watched the first two episodes of the new netflix season of Tdf, this guy seems to have a lot of anger he can't get rid of. He seems to be a super cool guy but it hurts watching how hard he is on himself and giving himself a pad on the back when down.
Winners mentality are more calm it seems. Its exhaustive for anyone to have so much anger.
Winners mentality are more calm it seems. Its exhaustive for anyone to have so much anger.
I disagree with this. You can’t stereotype. O’Conner might have temperament issues but I will reserve judgment until we see more of him. Plus, has every team leader had the spotlight publicly shone on them during a grand tour as O’Conner was on Netflix?
Leading a team in a grand tour isn’t what Roger Federer contends with playing tennis. I wonder how Fed would cope with what grand tour riders are asked to do? Dare I say he’d be more likely to lose his cool?
Other riders I recall who got prickly doing their job under pressure were Wiggins and Cadel. I’d call them winners?
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