Ben O'Connor: "I'm missing out on the win
"I'm not really satisfied with my result today. I didn't manage the final very well and maybe I missed out on the win. I really wanted to win. I was hoping that the last climb would be fast but it was only tactical and I spent too many cartridges unnecessarily. I should have waited because I was very strong and it could have worked.
Joao Almeida's attack didn't bother us but it made the race fun. I prefer it when it's chaotic like today. The other stages of this Vuelta were not hard enough for me.
There are two days left to do better."[/su_quote]
The number: 8
Ben O'Connor is still in eighth place overall in the Vuelta a Espana.
"It was a spectacular stage today as it happens regularly in the Vuelta. We all thought the breakaway was going to fight for the win but the favorites decided otherwise. The AG2R CITROËN team was able to respond with good relays from Nans (Peters) and Nicolas (Prodhomme) for Ben (O'Connor) who was one of the strongest today.
What we must remember is that the legs were good and that the group's state of mind has been irreproachable since the beginning of this third week. This bodes well for the last two battles because we know that Ben can move up a few places in the overall classification and that the team is capable of going for a stage win," said Julien Jurdie, sports director of the AG2R CITROËN team.
News: Nans Peters and Nicolas Prodhomme escape
Nans Peters and Nicolas Prodhomme were in the breakaway on stage 18 of the Vuelta a Espana.
"The goal was for Nans (Peters) or me to get into the breakaway today and it worked out for both of us. The organization was special with lots of people. The favorites in the general standings did it but we were able to act as a relay for Ben (O'Connor) who was very strong today. We will have to try again the next two days in order to win the stage or to help Ben", says Nicolas Prodhomme.