Primoz Roglic Will Go All-Out to Reclaim Lost Time, Says Ben O’Connor, Downplaying Impact of 20-Second Vuelta Penalty

Ben O’Connor Expects Primoz Roglic to Fight Back After Time Penalty, Stays Focused on Retaining Red Jersey at Vuelta

Ben O’Connor has fought hard through the second week of the 2024 Vuelta a España, but now finds himself under pressure from Primoz Roglic, who is closing in on his Red Jersey lead.

Reflecting on his current position during the Vuelta’s second rest day, O’Connor admitted, “I didn’t expect to have the jersey, but the excitement hasn’t changed since I got it. Now, it’s about putting in the hard work and holding onto it as much as possible.”

O’Connor maintains just over a minute’s lead in the general classification, but the gap could have been smaller. Roglic received a 20-second penalty after stage 15 for drafting behind his team car following a bike change, which worked in O’Connor’s favor.

“I didn’t lose another 20 seconds, so that helps, but I didn’t even know he changed bikes,” O’Connor remarked, downplaying the significance of the penalty. “That 20-second advantage is useful, but you can bet that tomorrow Roglic will go all-in to recover that time.”

O’Connor also expressed pride in his achievement: “I was told that it’s the longest an Australian has held the leader’s jersey in a grand tour. That’s pretty cool, and I’m proud to be in this position.” He emphasized the importance of staying at his best in the coming days, particularly Saturday’s stage, which he believes suits him well.

His ultimate goal remains clear: to win the Vuelta. “I’m not a betting man, but I hope this final week goes well, and I can seize the opportunity,” O’Connor concluded.