Ben O’Connor (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale): “I’m just a proud man, you know. I think I’ve gone about my business well and I can’t believe to come out like this, in 2nd. There was a point in the race where I thought that if I did my absolute best every single day, then it would be difficult [but possible to win La Vuelta]. It’s been a crazy Grand Tour, it’s been really difficult to be at my best every single day. It’s probably one of the most physically taxing Grand Tours I’ve done so it’s hard to expect perfection every single day. No no, I definitely didn’t lose La Vuelta a España, I’ve achieved something unique. I had an amazing opportunity, to be in the red jersey from stage 6 to stage 19. But I was under no illusion. I’ve led a WorldTour race for one day in my past and now I’ve led La Vuelta a España for two weeks. I think these last three weeks are a defining moment in my career. I was always confident in my TT so I wasn’t worried about losing the podium today. I’ve just got the podium that I always dreamed I could achieved but I was never sure I could do it.”
