No Australian has won the Vuelta a España, the famed Spanish grand tour. Only two Australians have finished on its podium; Jack Haig three years ago, and Cadel Evans in 2009. But on Tuesday, West Australian Ben O’Connor will begin the final week of the race in the red leader’s jersey and with over a minute’s lead in the general classification standings.
It began with a daring attack. After losing time to other contenders in the early days of this year’s Vuelta, O’Connor was allowed to join an early breakaway on stage six. With almost 30 kilometres remaining, the 28-year-old went solo on the penultimate climb. The courageous move stuck and O’Connor ultimately won the stage by more than four minutes, with the peloton even further back. The victory made O’Connor one of a select group of riders to have won a stage at all three grand tours; more importantly, it earned him his first red jersey and an almost five-minute lead over pre-race favourite Primož Roglič.
