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Ben O’Connor (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale) hoped to complete on the ultimate Tirreno-Adriatico podium however fifth place, 2:24 down on Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) was one other affirmation of his consistency in 2024 as he builds in direction of the Giro d’Italia.
The Western Australian can also be in a contract 12 months and decided to take management of his personal future be it at Decathlon AG2R or elsewhere. He has additionally learnt from the disappointments of 2023.
O’Connor was simply 32 seconds down on fellow Australian Jai Hindley and third place total and was all the time a part of the choose group of climbers who fought the placings behind Vingegaard.
“It was unbelievable what Jonas did yesterday. I did the most effective I might, I attempted to comply with for some time nevertheless it was a ineffective try,” O’Connor informed Cyclingnews.
“At present I rode enthusiastic about the rostrum nevertheless it didn’t work out.”
O’Connor didn’t experience the Tour Down Under this 12 months however has already raced for twenty-four days, as he front-loads his season to make sure he’s prepared for the Giro d’Italia.
He gained the Vuelta Ciclista a la Area de Murcia one-day race on his season debut after which gained the stage to Jabel Jais on the UAE Tour, simply lacking out on total victory to Lennert Van Eetvelt (Lotto Dstny).
Tirreno-Adriatico was a last aim earlier than he takes a break and begins his last preparation for the Corsa Rosa. He returns to the Giro d’Italia for the primary time since 2020, the place he took his maiden Grand Tour victory at Madonna di Campiglio, securing his transfer to AG2R La Mondiale for 2021.
“When you goal the Giro, you need to be good from the beginning of the season. I feel the one one who can do a gradual construct is Geraint Thomas, everybody else tries to be good from the phrase go,” the Australian defined.
“I’m not doing loads of races however I wish to do properly in each race I do. It’s vital to carry out and to be at my stage.”
“If I am wholesome I feel I can win races and constantly be in that prime 5 in races like Tirreno-Adriatico. If I solely peak for the Giro, I’m going to overlook out on alternatives and there’s additionally loads of danger to a gradual construct. If I crash out of the Giro on stage 2, my race might be over and I’d have wasted half a season. I feel it’s potential to carry good for all 12 months after which hope it peaks throughout a Grand Tour. That’s my plan.”
O’Connor’s contract with Decathlon AG2R ends this 12 months. He gained a mountain stage to Tignes, completed fourth total within the 2021 Tour de France and have become the logical Grand Tour chief for the French squad. Nevertheless a torn glute muscle wrecked his 2022 Tour and a lot of his season, his struggling and stress from the group to experience on proven in each element in an episode of the Netflix documentary.
Final 12 months O’Connor was third on the Criterium du Dauphine however then suffered on the Tour as soon as once more. Teammate Felix Gall was extra constant and shortly turned the French group’s protected chief and completed eighth total. Gall has a contract with Decathlon AG2R till the top of 2026, whereas O’Connor brazenly admits he’s available on the market for 2025.
The 28-year-old from Western Australia appears able to create a brand new chapter in his profession.
“It’s my life and I’ve to decide on what course I wish to take it,” O’Connor informed Cyclingnews.
“It’s been superb at Decathlon AG2R and I’ll proceed right here if I wish to. If not, I’ll go elsewhere. That’s how life and professional biking rolls.”
O’Connor doesn’t need his profession and his 2023 season to be judged by way of a single Tour de France optic.
“I didn’t have a shit Tour de France, I really acquired a few third locations which might have been wins. The Tour de France may give a distorted impression of a rider’s season. I don’t assume my 2023 as an entire was that dangerous,” he stated.
“Final 12 months I used to be additionally combating for the win on the Tour Down Below and I used to be third total on the Criterium du Dauphine, so I used to be nonetheless good however simply not at my finest throughout the Tour de France.”
He has tried to study from his 2023 season.
“Some issues went flawed in 2023 and I feel we have mounted them already and so I’m performing properly,” he stated.
“Final 12 months I pushed it an excessive amount of. I went to altitude after racing in Australia and it was a bit an excessive amount of. Maybe extra racing after which a relaxation, then altitude would have been a greater combine.”
“It’s additionally about managing your well being. While you push the bounds in coaching, some individuals deal with it higher than others. Everybody has to search out the tipping level of their fatigue and restoration and perceive what they should do to take care of their regular bodily well being.”
“Being a profitable professional experience is about how you place all of the items collectively, quite than simply every particular person half. It’s an enormous jigsaw puzzle.”
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