Dear Ben, Over and above the exceptional sporting results we have achieved together, all the members of the team have appreciated your personality over these four years. We have all seen you evolve step by step to become one of the top 5 riders in the peloton. We're proud of…
Decathlon AG2R send heartfelt goodbye to "one of the top 5 riders in the peloton" Ben O'Connor
CyclingWednesday, 16 October 2024 at 09:34
Ben O'Connor has had the season of his life in 2024. From 4th at the Giro d'Italia, to a breakthrough spell in the Red Jersey at the Vuelta a Espana before finishing 2nd overall and then a silver medal at the 2024 World Championships road race in Zürich.
As such, the fact the Australian is moving back home of sorts, to Aussie-based Team Jayco AlUla for 2025 is a bit of a bittersweet moment for Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale, who have been able to call upon O'Connor's services for the last four seasons. With O'Connor's 2024 campaign now over, Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale have sent the 28-year-old a heartfelt farewell message.
"Dear Ben," the post to the team's official social media pages begins. "Over and above the exceptional sporting results we have achieved together, all the members of the team have appreciated your personality over these four years. We have all seen you evolve step by step to become one of the top 5 riders in the peloton. We're proud of that. Hey mate, all the best."
Aside from his aforementioned success in 2024, over the course of his time with Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale since 2021, O'Connor has won a stage of the Tour de France en route to finishing 4th overall in 2021 and twice completed the podium at the Criterium du Dauphine (2022 and 2023 ed.) among other notable successes.
"To be honest, it’s really an idea I’ve always loved; to race as an Aussie and win on an Aussie team. I’m at a point now where I need to deliver, so it’ll be even more special to do it with an Australian set-up. To have the opportunity to race with mates at the top level is rare, and I am just so keen to get stuck in," O'Connor said earlier this year when his Team Jayco AlUla signing was announced. "My ambitions are to stay aggressive, consistent, and hopefully one day change these fourth-place overall finishes at Grand Tours into overall podium placings. Victories are just as important, and throwing the hands up in the air as soon as I can is high on the list. It’s not 'team Australia' but it feels like that to represent the only WorldTour Australian cycling team. Excited is an understatement."
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