After securing the fourth overall position in the 2021 Tour de France, Ben O’Connor revealed that various injuries prevented him from completing the race in 2022, forcing him to withdraw during the 9th stage. In 2023, the Australian had a new opportunity; however, once again, the cyclist couldn’t achieve his goals.
When O’Connor secured the fourth place in the 2021 Tour, he spoke about the need to prove his worth again in the following year to improve on that result. Circumstances, including a gluteal muscle rupture in 2022 and an illness this year, dashed all expectations in the French race.
“O’Connor always among the best in 2022
“2022 was very different because I got injured, so I had to discard that. I should have dropped out earlier,” O’Connor reflected on his recent experiences at the Tour de France in a conversation with Cyclingnews.
“I was among the top ten in every stage I did last year, which means I always fought with the best. There’s no doubt about that,” he says.
Disappointment with 2023
“2023 was simply disappointing because I didn’t achieve what I wanted. From the GC perspective, I wasn’t even close. I felt bad during the race. I got a little sick, and it took a long time for that to pass after the Tour de France. Something just wasn’t right.”
According to O’Connor’s calculations, only two cyclists are out of his reach, the two cyclists who shared the last four Tours. Tadej Pogačar and Jonas Vingegaard, he admits, are “out of this world,” at least in June and July, but he considers himself one of those competing for the spot just behind them. “You always think about this placement,” he asserts.”
“Two Grand Tours in 2024
No plans for O’Connor’s calendar in 2024 were revealed at the presentation of the renewed Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale last week. For now, the only certainty is that he is eager to compete in two Grand Tours in 2024.
“I would like to make a change. I would love to do the Giro, but I’m on a French team, and the Tour is super important,” he says.
“I will definitely do two Grand Tours next year, but I’m not sure which ones. I would love to return to the Giro, that’s for sure, but the Tour is the Tour…,” concludes the Australian.”