Brashna Kasi
Updated on: October 7, 2024 11:32 pm GMT
Australian cyclist Ben O’Connor has successfully maintained his lead in the Vuelta a España as he completed Stage 18 on Thursday, finishing alongside fellow competitors while keeping a narrow edge of five seconds over three-time champion Primoz Roglič. The stage, held on the challenging roads of the Basque Country, culminated in an exciting victory for local rider Urko Berrade, who executed a decisive late solo attack to secure his first professional win.
Berrade’s Victorious Finish
Urko Berrade, riding for Equipo Kern Pharma, claimed victory in the 179.5-kilometer Stage 18, showcasing exceptional skill as he broke away from a leading group of 13 cyclists with less than six kilometers to go. The win was especially meaningful for the Basque cyclist, who expressed his delight with tears of joy at the finish line, greeted warmly by family and team members.
“It’s a dream,” Berrade said. ”The stage closer to home, with all my family watching me, friends, in the last stages of La Vuelta.” He finished the stage in 4 hours, 0 minutes, and 52 seconds, crossing the finish line just ahead of Switzerland’s Mauro Schmid from Team Jayco-AlUla, who took second place, and Britain’s Max Poole from Team dsm-firmenich PostNL, who secured third.
O’Connor Maintains Leadership
As for the overall standings, Ben O’Connor of Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale remains in the red leader’s jersey after successfully navigating a hectic day filled with attacks and tactical maneuvers. He finished safely within the group of contenders, preserving his slim lead over Roglič as they crossed the line together. O’Connor’s consistency has kept him on top during this demanding three-week race, despite facing challenges, including a tough climb and occasional separation from his peers during the stage.
“It wasn’t an easy day, much harder than I thought,” O’Connor remarked after the stage. “I didn’t expect so much to happen on the climb. Complicated day.” He was notably proactive throughout the stage, needing to remain alert to cover any gaps that could arise from aggressive attacks by rival cyclists.
Upcoming Challenges in Stage 19
Looking ahead to Stage 19, cyclists will contend with a 173.5-kilometer route from Logroño to Alto de Moncalvillo, featuring a demanding final climb of nearly 10 kilometers. This stage is expected to further test the endurance and strategic planning of fellow competitors. O’Connor expressed optimism about the next stage, suggesting it might offer a simpler tactical approach, primarily focusing on conquering the final uphill segment.
Changes in the Jersey Standings
While Australia retains the red jersey with O’Connor’s leadership, the green jersey for the best sprinter remains with teammate Kaden Groves. However, Jay Vine has lost his title as King of the Mountains, a title now held by Marc Soler of UAE Team Emirates. Soler’s ascension came after an impressive performance that allowed him to claim maximal points during the 18th stage.
Impact of Rider Injuries
In related news, the race also witnessed the withdrawal of Belgian cyclist Wout van Aert, who sustained a severe knee injury in a crash earlier in the week. Van Aert, who was in contention for various category jerseys, is currently hospitalized and undergoing treatment to prevent infection, as stated by his team Visma.
As the Vuelta a España gets closer to the finish, tomorrow’s race is going to be very important for the riders and their teams. They are planning their best moves to tackle the tough mountain stages. Fans can look forward to an exciting day of bike racing!
