The Australian Ben O’Connor (AG2R team) is the new leader of the Volta a Catalunya, after winning this Wednesday alone the third stage between the French town of Perpignan and the ski resort of La Molina, a section in which the Ecuadorian Richard Carapaz (Ineos) once again gained positions.
The Olympic road champion (Tokyo 2020) crossed the finish line 12th this day with a difference of +9 seconds compared to the winner (4:12:51). Carapaz, who in the previous stage was 20th in the race, is now 13th (+19 seconds).
The other tricolor in competition, Jonathan Caicedo (EF), is in 81st place.
O’Connor, fourth in the last Tour de France, overtook the Spanish Juan Ayuso (UAE), who came second, and the Colombian Nairo Quintana (Arkea), who came third, giving entry to the rest of the favorites after 161 km travel.
The Australian took first place overall, unseating the Norwegian Jonas Hvidebergwho had put on the leader’s jersey on Tuesday after collecting bonuses in the second stage.
Behind O’Connor in the general standings are Ayuso, ten seconds behind, and Nairo Quintana, 12 seconds behind.
The stage was played on the demanding 12km climb to the finish line of La Molina, with an average drop of 4.5%, when O’Connor surprised the peloton with eight kilometers to go.
Helped by the little understanding behind between the favorites for this Catalan round, O’Connor ended up entering the first solo at the finish line, where in 2019 the Colombian Miguel Ángel had prevailed superman Lopez.
On Thursday, the fourth stage of the Volta will take place, a new 166.7 km high-mountain route between La Seu d’Urgell and the Boí Taüll ski resort, with three first category stops, including the finish line.
The race will finish on Sunday in Barcelona with the seventh stage. (D)
Source: Eluniverso
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