"Ben O'Connor looks forward to resuming the General Classification fight in the Tour de France, his break year serving as a reminder of the grandeur of the competition"
Ben O'Connor, the 29-year-old Australian cyclist, is gearing up for a challenging but exhilarating journey in the 2025 Tour de France. With ten Grand Tours under his belt, O'Connor is no stranger to the gruelling race, but he hasn't competed in the Tour since 2023.
O'Connor's primary goal for this year's event is to finish in the top five of the general classification (GC), with his sights set even higher on a podium spot. He aims to return to the position he has previously achieved in all three Grand Tours (Tour de France, Giro d’Italia, Vuelta a España).
The Tour de France, known as the biggest race in cycling, will test O'Connor's mettle. He is well aware of the stress it brings but sees it as the biggest reward, stating, "I'm determined to do everything I can to get back to the top five." His debut in 2021 saw him finish 4th, followed by a crash in 2022 and a 17th place finish in 2023.
To achieve his goal, O'Connor will rely on the support of his team, Jayco-AlUla. The team, which also includes riders like Eddie Dunbar, Mauro Schmid, Luke Durbridge, and Luke Plapp, has built a versatile squad specifically to back O'Connor's GC ambitions. The team's approach balances O'Connor's GC pursuit with sprinter Dylan Groenewegen's goals for stage wins and the opening yellow jersey, indicating a dual strategy but with strong backing around O'Connor for the overall classification.
The 2025 Tour de France consists of two parts: flat and hilly stages in northern France, followed by a GC battle in the Pyrenees and Alps. O'Connor, who has recently finished 8th overall at the Tour de Suisse, is confident that his team's versatility and support in mountainous terrain will be crucial assets for him to execute his plan, especially in the second half of the Tour where longer climbs favor him.
If O'Connor finishes 5th, 6th, 7th, or 8th in the 2025 Tour de France, he will consider it a success as long as he has done his best and executed his strategy. He is not expecting any surprises regarding Pogačar's dominance in the event, but is focused on his own performance and the execution of his team's strategy.
In addition to his cycling ambitions, O'Connor is also enjoying the Aussie vibe at Jayco-AlUla and is now a father. With his renewed ambition and strong team support, O'Connor is poised to make a significant impact in the 2025 Tour de France.
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Sports enthusiasts can anticipate Ben O'Connor's return to the Tour de France, the biggest race in cycling, where he aims to compete for a podium spot in the general classification (GC), aiming to repeat his success in all three Grand Tours. With a versatile team, Jayco-AlUla, backing his ambitions, O'Connor believes his team's support in mountainous terrain will be crucial for him to execute his strategy in the challenging race.
