"I want to finish on a high note" - Ben O'Connor eyes one last big result in Decathlon AG2R jersey at La Vuelta
Cycling
Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale had an abnormally successful start to 2024, winning left right and center. Since June, the victory machine has slowed down noticeable, however that only means extra motivation for the guys heading for Vuelta a Espana. Main pressure to perform will be on the team's climbers Ben O'Connor and Felix Gall.
After the Giro d'Italia where he finished fourth overall, Ben O'Connor took a break from cycling to welcome a new family member. The Australian has returned at the Olympic road race, but already looked strong at the Clasica San Sebastian. "I'm feeling good, in good health and ready to tackle the second half of the season," he confirms in a press release. "My aim is to race like I have all year, to be in the top five overall. I'm also hoping to win a stage after having already lifted my arms in the Giro and Tour."
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For 2025, O'Connor will make a move Down Under, strengthening Jayco AlUla. However that doesn't mean his motivation coming to Spain will be any smaller: "This will be my last Grand Tour with the team, so I want to finish on a high note and give it everything I've got right up to the end to give back to my team-mates, who will help me achieve a good overall position. I hope we'll have something to celebrate in Madrid, it'll be a special moment."
Felix Gall
Unlike O'Connor, Decathlon's other leader Felix Gall is not going anywhere, recently commiting to the French team until 2026. The 26-year-old Austrian has been a bit busier in recent months as he took on the Tour de France where he was unable to enter the final top 10.
With Vuelta in mind, he's taken a time off the bike to refill the tanks. "I took a break a week after the Tour and went to Austria for a bit, which did me good. Since then, I've been training well and I'm ready for my first Vuelta, which I'm really looking forward to. It's the first time I'm going to link these two races together, but I think it's a good idea and I'm highly motivated."
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