Giro d'Italia: Ben O'Connor 'pretty angry' after failed pursuit of Tadej Pogacar on Stage 2
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Published 06/05/2024 at 11:20 GMT+1
Ben O'Connor took on perhaps the toughest challenge in cycling by going toe-to-toe with Tadej Pogacar on a climb towards the end of Stage 2 at the Giro d'Italia. But the Australian was made to pay for his efforts, admitting he got "stung". A patient approach from Britain's Geraint Thomas of the Ineos Grenadiers saw him profit from the Australian's collapse.
Highlights: Pogacar claims dramatic victory on Stage 2 after crash
Video credit: TNT Sports
Ben O’Connor was left to rue what might have been after his late collapse in Stage 2 of the Giro d’Italia.
The Australian remained closest to eventual winner Tadej Pogacar for much of the day and was hot on the heels of the UAE Team Emirates rider with 4.4km left of the stage.
But after initially going with Pogacar when the Slovenian launched a blistering attack, O'Connor admitted he "exploded" and ended up finishing 13th - a minute adrift of Pogacar as the chasing pack caught up.
The Decathlon–AG2R rider is now tenth in the general classification and one minute 24 seconds adrift of Pogacar, who holds a 45-second advantage over Geraint Thomas.
“When you sail too close to the sun, you get stung,” O’Connor told GCN.
“I was brave. I always wanted to try and follow Pog, but I was probably the dumbest guy in the race.
“I followed for too long, then I just exploded. It’s a shame because I definitely feel like I was the second strongest guy, but probably the least intelligent.”
O’Connor said he "felt great" as he reflected on his decision to follow Pogacar, but that it ultimately backfired.
“I felt great, so I was like why not, you’re here to race,” he added.
“I never look at numbers at all in a race on a climb. If I’m solo perhaps, but when you’re attacking, you never ever look - just race on instinct. Though perhaps it would have aided me a bit if I’d looked down and seen what I was doing.
“I didn’t realise I was so far in the red until too late perhaps.
"Pog looked around, saw I was on his wheel and clearly wanted to be alone, so he hit it again, and I found my limit. I thought I could hold onto it. But I gambled a bit too much and made a pretty big mistake.”
“It was stupid. I didn’t need to lose time today. I should have gained time.
“I’ve got a couple of good guys here who like to make a joke or two, but I can tell you my first reaction wasn’t to smile - I was pretty angry with myself today. It wasn't good enough.”
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