'I'm staying optimistic' – race leader Ben O'Connor ready to battle on at Vuelta a España

Ben O'Connor continues to defend the red jersey after 14 stages of the Vuelta a España
Ben O'Connor continues to defend the red jersey after 14 stages of the Vuelta a España (Image credit: Getty Images)

Vuelta a España leader Ben O'Connor remains upbeat regarding Sunday's ultra-difficult stage through the mountains of northern Spain, with the Australian determined to find the positives despite his off-day on the summit finish of Ancares on Friday.

Over the last week, the Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale rider has seen his original GC advantage of nearly five minutes on Primož Roglič (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) slashed to just 1:21. 

Alasdair Fotheringham

Alasdair Fotheringham has been reporting on cycling since 1991. He has covered every Tour de France since 1992 bar one, as well as numerous other bike races of all shapes and sizes, ranging from the Olympic Games in 2008 to the now sadly defunct Subida a Urkiola hill climb in Spain. As well as working for Cyclingnews, he has also written for The IndependentThe GuardianProCycling, The Express and Reuters.