"It's nice to feel good again" - Ben O'Connor back in top form as he repeats Criterium du Dauphiné podium

It had been so far a difficult season for Ben O'Connor, however the leader of AG2R Citroën Team has returned to his best form and has brought in a strong result and meaningful UCI points for the team. He has completed the Criterium du Dauphiné on the podium.

“I am proud. It was a really good race for me. I enjoyed it. It's nice to feel good again," O'Connor told CyclingPro.net. After struggling through recent months, ahead of the Tour de France he's been able to reset and return to good numbers. This was evident when he finished fifth in the race's time-trial, which then saw him eventually rising to second in the overall classification behind Jonas Vingegaard. The turn of events was very positive for the Australian who has looked at his best for the first time this year.

Over the mountainous weekend he lost his second place to Adam Yates, but ended third in the GC, just as he had last year behind Vingegaard again and Primoz Roglic. This comes as a very good and motivating sign towards the Tour de France where he will be a contender for the overall classification and hopes to perform at his best.

"I hope I get through well and can give everything. I'm going to see if I can finish in the top ten again, but you never know how it will turn out. I just hope that I can get through it safely, without too many problems, and ride at my best level. Whether I finish fifth, eighth, fourth or third… I will accept everything," he concluded.