Australian cyclist Ben O’Connor is experiencing a welcome resurgence in form at the 2025 Vuelta a España, following a challenging performance at the 2024 Tour de France. Despite securing a notable victory during the Tour, injuries and crashes hindered his overall performance, leaving him unable to compete at his desired level. Now, as the leader of Jayco-AlUla, O’Connor feels rejuvenated and optimistic about his prospects in Spain.
O’Connor, currently positioned 17th in the general classification, trails the leader Torstein Træen of Bahrain Victorious by 3:53. More encouragingly, he is only 1:20 behind the top favourite, Jonas Vingegaard from Visma-Lease a Bike. The first week of the Vuelta has been relatively straightforward, allowing O’Connor to maintain a steady pace without significant setbacks.
Reflecting on his experience, O’Connor stated, “Yesterday was good, much better than Thursday. The final climb wasn’t as hard as we probably expected, so it was a shame not to get more out of it, but there’s plenty more to come.” He anticipates that the competition will intensify soon, particularly with the upcoming stage in Bilbao, which he describes as “really tricky” and a potential turning point in the race.
Looking Ahead to Challenging Stages
The route in Bilbao, featuring over 3,000 metres of vertical climbing and seven classified ascents, bears resemblance to the Ardennes Classics. O’Connor is particularly aware of the last climbs, which include the steep Alto del Vivero and Alto del Pike, both of which were significant in the 2023 Tour de France. He regards this stage as an opportunity to distance himself from the difficulties faced in July.
“It’s a curious stage, and it’s not ideal for me, but it’s a stage where you get some really hard racing,” O’Connor remarked. He emphasized that while the early stages of the Vuelta have been manageable, more demanding challenges lie ahead. “But don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining. It’s been nice to do some straightforward racing after what was just like the roughest July; it sucked actually, that whole Tour de France.”
O’Connor has transitioned from the French team Decathlon to his home team, Jayco-AlUla. He expresses satisfaction with this move, stating that it has allowed him to reconnect with a culture he is familiar with. “It hasn’t been too much of a struggle because you fall into your natural self and the culture you grew up with,” he said.
Praise for UAE Team Emirates-XRG Strategy
Throughout his career, O’Connor has raced with various teams, providing him with insights into different racing strategies. His observations during the Vuelta highlight a contrast between UAE Team Emirates-XRG and other teams like Visma, which have opted to focus on a single leader rather than pursuing stage wins.
O’Connor commended the approach taken by UAE, particularly regarding cyclist Carlos Rodríguez, who has shifted focus from general classification to aiming for stage victories. “I think it’s smart, I think it’s almost a good idea,” he said. “You’re still a quality bike rider, and you’re going to be able to get a good day out; it just doesn’t mean you need to do GC day in day out.”
He noted that the initial stages of the Vuelta have not necessitated an all-for-one strategy among teams, but that will change as the competition becomes more intense in the following days. “When there’s a one or two-hour breakaway fight, that’s when you really need the boys around you,” he explained.
With tougher stages approaching, O’Connor remains focused and confident. As he looks ahead, he understands that while the current race has been manageable, the real tests are just around the corner in the 2025 Vuelta a España.