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Ben O'Connor wins Tour de France stage 18
O'Connor claims victory at Col de la Loze while Pogačar extends his overall lead.
Ben O'Connor's strategic move secured a stage victory while Tadej Pogačar extended his overall lead.
Ben O'Connor earns victory at Col de la Loze as Tadej Pogačar strengthens lead
Ben O'Connor of Jayco-AlUla achieved a remarkable victory in stage 18 of the 2025 Tour de France, claiming the win at the challenging Col de la Loze. O'Connor was part of a breakaway group and attacked just before the final climb, enabling him to withstand pressure from the general classification contenders behind him. Tadej Pogačar, riding for UAE Team Emirates-XRG, finished second, successfully breaking away from Jonas Vingegaard of Visma-Lease a Bike in the last 500 meters and extending his lead in the overall standings. Pogačar now leads Vingegaard by 4:26 as the Tour heads into its final stages, setting the stage for potential drama in upcoming segments of the race. O'Connor, who had faced setbacks earlier in the Tour, expressed his pride in the win, emphasizing the challenges of competing at this level and his gratitude to his teammates and supporters.
Key Takeaways
"It's a rough race. It's the biggest race in the world, but it's for sure the cruelest."
O'Connor reflects on the challenges of competing in the Tour de France.
"I couldn't be more proud of myself and the boys that back me every single day of this whole race."
O'Connor expresses his pride after his stage victory.
"The valley was just a perfect opportunity to get time. You're going to get smoked by Tadej and Jonas if you stay there."
O'Connor explains his strategic approach to the race.
"Pogačar's lead is a psychological advantage going into the final stages of the Tour."
Highlighting the implications of Pogačar's performance in the race.
O'Connor's win highlights not just individual talent but also strategic race acumen. His ability to time his escape demonstrates the crucial role of tactical decisions in high-stakes situations. Conversely, Pogačar's continued dominance poses a growing challenge for Vingegaard and other competitors. As the race progresses, the psychological edge Pogačar gains with each stage victory could make the difference. The tension among the leading riders suggests that while Pogačar holds the lead, the fight for overall victory is far from over. Teams will need to adapt their strategies rapidly to stay competitive as the Tour moves deeper into its final legs.
Highlights
- O'Connor showed true grit in this Tour de France stage showdown.
- Pogačar strikes back, sending a message to his rivals.
- Every pedal stroke counts when the stakes are high.
- O'Connor called it the biggest race in the world, but also the cruelest.
Potential backlash from competitive teams
As the standings tighten, reactions from competing teams could lead to strategic shifts and tensions in future stages of the race.
As the Tour nears its end, each stage takes on increased significance, with stakes rising for both individual and team performances.
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