(Reuters) – Australian Ben O’Connor completed his collection of stage victories in all three of cycling’s Grand Tours by winning stage six of the Vuelta a Espana on Thursday, and also took the overall lead after his solo run left everyone behind.
O’Connor was part of a breakaway group early in the race but by the penultimate climb and with 28 kilometres left to race, the Decathlon-AG2R La Mondiale rider went for glory on his own, punching the air in celebration as he crossed the line.
Italy’s Marco Frigo (Israel-Premier Tech) came in second, four minutes and 33 seconds behind O’Connor, with Florian Lipowitz finishing third.
Three-times former champion Primoz Roglic began the day top of the general classification but O’Connor took the red jersey from the Slovenian after his impressive ride on the 185.5-km stage from Jerez de la Frontera to Yunquera.
(Reporting by Trevor Stynes; editing by Clare Fallon)
Comments