Ben O’Connor Wins Stage 3 Of Volta Catalunya As Aussies Dominate Race

Ben O’Connor has won Stage 3 of the Volta Catalunya, the AG2R Citreon rider enjoying a strong solo victory and went into the overall lead of the race.

O’Connor is the third Aussie winner over the first three stages of the Spanish race, with Michael Matthews and Kaden Groves (both of Team Bike Exchange-Jayco) taking out stages one and two.

26yo O’Connor said he a recent illness forced him to abandon Paris-Nice, one of his early season goals, making the Stage 3 win extra sweet.

“I approached this week with confidence, though, because I knew that my form was there,” he said.

“Today, I did not expect to finish alone because I believed that other guys would be able to follow me. But I decided to try my luck in the finale and it worked. It was not necessarily a climb that suited me. I like the high mountains. I knew I had to be smart to follow those who would attack.”

2022 Volta Catalunya Overall Top 3 After Stage 3