Ben O'Connor: Baby face becomes conqueror

[Tim Cahill]

Great to see a bit of s*it talk going on too.

Anyone who has watched cricket knows that you can always trust the Australians to start mouthing off a bit in the press the second they're in the mix.

 

[Sciatic]

It's a strange mentality. Teams not willing to chase GC 1st because it helps GC 2nd - even if it diminishes the chances of their own GC candidates.

Yes. Drives me nuts sometimes—we see it too often.

 

[Unchained]

At the very least a great performance and made this race a LOT more interesting.

Sort of historically hilarious that many of these comments trying to make less of what O'Connor did and is doing are identical to last year with Kuss catching shade about not being worthy!! I think lots of cycling fans are still either in denial or just don't recognize that dozens of riders are excellent and capable. There is parity like never before and when circumstances align, results will follow, First for Kuss and now maybe for the Australian stallion!!
Don't know why so many think at such levels of disbelief that Almeida or Roglic can be challenged by someone with an inferior resume.
Doubt O'Connor is feeling like a loser, regardless of ultimate outcome. I am vibing my TV just because so many are wishing him to fail or causally calling him a fluke.. If he did nothing else, making the race exciting to watch as UAE and Bora are ready to throw the kitchen sink at trying to solve the O'Connor problem!!

 

[Unchained]

It's a strange mentality. Teams not willing to chase GC 1st because it helps GC 2nd - even if it diminishes the chances of their own GC candidates.

They are not chasing to save face and pretend the error was minor, not major by letting O'Connor get away in the first place!! Team DS goons are praying, fingers and legs crossed for O'Connor to crumble..

 

[Red Rick]

Yes. Drives me nuts sometimes—we see it too often.

O Connor was being very loud during the Giro. Complaining about rain IIRC.

 

[scribers]

The only miscalculation the peloton made yesterday was boc's form. Honest mistake really. They drew back most of the rest of a strong break by the end, and looked cooked themselves at the finish line.

There was no real reason to respect boc heading into yesterday's stage. He was about as dangerous as several riders in there. Leaving the team at the end of the year. Gall just as well was a GC threat. It was understandable what happened, and a little tragic.

 

[Squire]

The only miscalculation the peloton made yesterday was boc's form. Honest mistake really. They drew back most of the rest of a strong break by the end, and looked cooked themselves at the finish line.

There was no real reason to respect boc heading into yesterday's stage. He was about as dangerous as several riders in there. Leaving the team at the end of the year. Gall just as well was a GC threat. It was understandable what happened, and a little tragic.

Looking at the size of the group finishing together, they obviously could (and should) have done way more from the penultimate climb onwards when the gap had gone out as much as it had. Most of the pacing was done by some knackered Movistar riders.

 

[Sciatic]

They are not chasing to save face and pretend the error was minor, not major by letting O'Connor get away in the first place!! Team DS goons are praying, fingers and legs crossed for O'Connor to crumble..

Exactly!

 

[Sciatic]

Sort of historically hilarious that many of these comments trying to make less of what O'Connor did and is doing are identical to last year with Kuss catching shade about not being worthy!! I think lots of cycling fans are still either in denial or just don't recognize that dozens of riders are excellent and capable. There is parity like never before and when circumstances align, results will follow, First for Kuss and now maybe for the Australian stallion!!
Don't know why so many think at such levels of disbelief that Almeida or Roglic can be challenged by someone with an inferior resume.
Doubt O'Connor is feeling like a loser, regardless of ultimate outcome. I am vibing my TV just because so many are wishing him to fail or causally calling him a fluke.. If he did nothing else, making the race exciting to watch as UAE and Bora are ready to throw the kitchen sink at trying to solve the O'Connor problem!!

I really don’t care if he’s “worthy,” whatever that means. He’s a good climber, and giving any of the good climbers 5 minutes on a climbing-heavy course is a bad idea, and not trying to capture back some of that time in the last 5 km was just stupid.

 

[pastronef]

I am VERY VERY HAPPY for O'Connor. just saw the recap now, I was away for two days. great ride!

 

[Tonton]

I expect he should finish top 4 in the GC - He has taken his opportunity with both hands.

True, and for me it's 3 or 4, he has been 4th in a GT, at some point, time will play in his favor. But Ben has to have a great weekend. He has a bag. The bag...

 

[fenns]

after Saturday I thought it looked inevitable that Roglic would overhaul Ben but now I'm not so sure.

 

[Berniece]

after Saturday I thought it looked inevitable that Roglic would overhaul Ben but now I'm not so sure.

I think someone still will, it just won't be Roglic.

 

[Tonton]

I think someone still will, it just won't be Roglic.

You could be right. I don't like Carapaz being so close. I have seen that movie before.

 

[YavorD]

You could be right. I don't like Carapaz being so close. I have seen that movie before.

I don't mind Carapaz winning. I used to not like him earlier but I like him now.
He is gutsy and not afraid to attack. If someone beats O'Connor I hope it's Carapaz.

 

[Cookster15]

O'Conner seems very relaxed in his interviews. Not like a rider feeling the pressure or lacking confidence. If he doesn't win this Vuelta I doubt it will be because he cracks. Someone is going to have to take it from him. I'd pick Roglic and Mas as most likely, but 4 minutes is a lot.

I like Carapaz too, but he seems better defending a lead than chasing one. That's how Carapaz beat Roglic at the 2019 Giro.

 

[Bolder]

Shaky day today. He's going to have to hope Roglic and Mas have a bad day.

 

[tobydawq]

He's deleted his Twitter account after having complained about his teammates getting yellow cards.

Is the pressure getting to him?

 

[Ilmaestro99]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1828892760209813973

View: https://x.com/300wNeilW/status/1828892760209813973?t=B1Ds0K7ebrTq8TDeHalQyA&s=19

 

[CyclistAbi]

Hang in there Ben, on the road i hope Rogla beats you for the overall, off the road i support your effort fighting against the mob.

 

[iBanesto]

Great win today and a huge lead. He should not be underestimated.


True, but he didn't when he came 4th in the 2021 Tour and at this year's Giro.

Only Roglic. The rest he has to beat on GC at this Vuelta are not "a few" levels above him when he is riding well. I'd put him on similar level to Enric Mas.

Also true in the past, but he's been around for a while now, it seems he has learned:-

I am not entirely convinced at all. He is a good rider but not a great rider to compete straight up against the top (or even just good) riders.

• Stage 2 of the Giro, he tried to chase Pogacar and ended up losing over 30 secs to Martinez and Thomas.
• 4th in the 2021 Tour was mainly due to a breakaway win where no one saw him really as a challenger for him to gain over 6 mins on the GC contenders.
• Again he gained over 6 mins on his stage 6 breakway win due to a tactical mistake from Bora.
• He has had a couple of bad days in stage 11 and 13.

 

[AmRacer]

I am not entirely convinced at all. He is a good rider but not a great rider to compete straight up against the top (or even just good) riders.

• Stage 2 of the Giro, he tried to chase Pogacar and ended up losing over 30 secs to Martinez and Thomas.
• 4th in the 2021 Tour was mainly due to a breakaway win where no one saw him really as a challenger for him to gain over 6 mins on the GC contenders.
• Again he gained over 6 mins on his stage 6 breakway win due to a tactical mistake from Bora.
• He has had a couple of bad days in stage 11 and 13.

I don't think it's a tactical mistake, Bora Red Bull doesn't have to work pulling the peloton and controlling breaks. Rogla will take the red tomorrow.

 

[Red Rick]

I don't think it's a tactical mistake, Bora Red Bull doesn't have to work pulling the peloton and controlling breaks. Rogla will take the red tomorrow.

It was silly given the information we had. If O'Connor had hit his best form the complications would have been bigger than they turned out to be now.

 

[Sciatic]

He’s still got 3 minutes on the other guys (aside from Roglic), none of whom are great TTers, so still in with a shot to hold a podium spot. We probably will have a much better idea after tomorrow’s stage what his chances of holding on are. If he loses another 2 minutes to the likes of Mas, Landa, Carapaz then he’s in trouble.

 

[Cookster15]

I am not entirely convinced at all. He is a good rider but not a great rider to compete straight up against the top (or even just good) riders.

• Stage 2 of the Giro, he tried to chase Pogacar and ended up losing over 30 secs to Martinez and Thomas.
• 4th in the 2021 Tour was mainly due to a breakaway win where no one saw him really as a challenger for him to gain over 6 mins on the GC contenders.
• Again he gained over 6 mins on his stage 6 breakway win due to a tactical mistake from Bora.
• He has had a couple of bad days in stage 11 and 13.

Its easy to be wise in hindsight. Not even Ben O'Conner or AG2R knew where his limits were. Stage 2 of the Giro was actually the perfect example of that when he blew trying to follow the best rider in the world. And really, having a go not knowing what might eventuate is part of road racing even for amateurs. The alternative is you sit in the bunch and benefit from the efforts of others - like Martinez and Thomas that day.