INTERNATIONAL: Ben O'Connor rode out a solo victory in stage three of the Volta a Catalunya on Wednesday 23 March.The Australian riding for AG2R Citroen Team pushed ahead in the last eight kilometers on the final ascent and held on to win by six seconds in the 161-kilometer ride from Perpignan to La Molina.
Of the chasing pack, Juan Ayuso Pesquera (UAE Team Emirates) crossed the line second and Nairo Quintana (Team Arkea-Samsic) took third.
The stage victory puts O'Connor top of the overall classification, followed by Ayuso Pesquera and Quintana.
O'Connor said he was particularly pleased with the win given recent sickness.
BEN O'CONNOR SAYING:
"It's been a little bit hard the last month because I got a little bit sick so to come back now and win again is amazing and every year I set myself a goal to win and it's nice to get it done early in the year."
The fourth stage of the seven stage race will be a 166km ride from La Seu d'Urgell to Boi Taull.
