Intense GC Battle Reborn on Stage 20 of Tour de France, Competing for 10th Position
After a strong showing at the Tour de France 2022, Australian cyclist Ben O'Connor has continued to impress in Grand Tours and stage races. With his move to the Australian UCI WorldTeam Jayco-AlUla starting in the 2025 season, O'Connor is poised for a significant step in his career.
Career Highlights
In 2021, O'Connor demonstrated his climbing ability and consistency, winning stage 9 at the Tour de France and finishing 4th overall. While he has yet to reach a Grand Tour podium, his near-podium finishes indicate a promising future.
Team Change and Leadership Role
With Simon Yates leaving Jayco-AlUla at the end of 2024, O’Connor was signed by the team to fill the role of lead general classification rider starting in 2025. This move represents a significant opportunity for him, as he joins an Australian team that is building a strong GC squad with talents like Luke Plapp.
Ambitions and Outlook
O'Connor has expressed a clear ambition to translate his near-podium finishes into Grand Tour podiums, emphasizing aggressive and consistent racing. He values the opportunity to race on a home team with Australian teammates, which he believes will help him achieve these goals.
Recent Performance
In 2025, O'Connor secured his second-ever Tour de France stage win on the challenging climb of Col de la Loze, his first stage win since 2021, signaling maintained or improved form in high mountain stages.
The Battle for the General Classification
Despite losing his top-10 GC position during stage 20 of the Tour de France, O'Connor's performance indicates potential to contend more strongly in future Grand Tours and possibly secure podium finishes. The battle for the General Classification unexpectedly reignited during stage 20, with Jordan Jegat prising O'Connor's top-10 GC position away.
Jayco AlUla sports director Steve Cummings views the situation pragmatically, despite sharing O'Connor's frustration. Jordan Jegat, one of the eight nominees for the Super Combativité award, remains well recovered and resists physically well. Matteo Jorgenson (Visma-Lease a Bike) and Time Wellens (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) were also part of the seven-man chase group at the end of stage 20.
Lilian Lebreton, TotalEnergies directeur, spoke highly of Jordan Jegat's performance in the Tour de France. Jordan Jegat's GC placing is becoming a realistic objective for TotalEnergies. O'Connor, however, would prefer a stage win over a top 10 position.
As the Tour de France comes to a close, it's clear that the season isn't over for Ben O'Connor. With his sights set on Grand Tour podiums, O'Connor's career trajectory post-Tour de France 2022 is upward, with a new environment at Jayco-AlUla offering leadership opportunities and support tailored for his general classification ambitions.
Sports continue to be a significant focus for Ben O'Connor, as he aims to translate his near-podium finishes into Grand Tour podiums. With his move to the Australian UCI WorldTeam Jayco-AlUla starting in the 2025 season, O'Connor is set to lead the team in general classification races, joining an emerging GC squad with talents like Luke Plapp.
