"These kinds of climbs tend to suit me quite well" - From 'dumbest guy in the race' to podium contender, Ben O'Connor ready for Giro's toughest test yet
Cycling
After blowing up on stage 2 as he tried to follow Tadej Pogacar, Ben O'Connor labelled himself the 'dumbest guy in the race'. In the days since however, the Australian has regrouped impressively and as the second summit finish looms on stage 8, O'Connor is sitting 4th overall.
“Ah, I think it's still true, but yeah, it's past now. Yeah, I just have to focus on every other day coming up," the Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Team leader reflects on his blow out on Oropa earlier in the race, in conversation with GCN ahead of stage 8. "I did lose some time there, but I'll gain time in other places, hopefully, and can be at my best.”
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On paper a much tougher day of climbing than earlier in the week, O'Connor is confident that especially the long final climb to the line at Prati di Tivo is well suited to his capabilities. More so than the Oropa climb on stage 2. “I think a lot of guys were a bit on the limit in general the first two days," he recalls. "I don't know if it was just freshness or the load that we've been doing in training, it's hard really to say, but there were quite a few guys that were panting quite a bit.”
“Saturday is a much harder stage than the Oropa finish in general,” he explains. “The climb is much longer than Oropa. Oropa went by really quickly whilst this is much longer and much more steady as well. It’s a bit more train-like in the end. “I’ve never done it, but these kinds of climbs tend to suit me quite well and I think there’s only really long climbs between now and the end of the Giro. Normally that kind of stuff plays into my ballpark.”
Kieran WoodDeputy Editor-in-Chief
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He regularly contributes to DartsNews.com and CyclingUpToDate.com, where he covers professional cycling and darts. In cycling, his work includes liveblogs from major races, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, alongside race reports and analysis. He has also conducted interviews with professional riders.
His reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis. For statistics, results, and historical context, he regularly uses resources such as ProCyclingStats. To support reporting on rider activity and training context where relevant, he also references Strava.
In his work, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.
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- the headline is poorly written too. it makes it sound like their plan is to simply wait until he stops.mij13-11-2026
- It doesnt take a genius to understand that Pogi is 1 level above and Pogi is younger that Jonas, so Jonas will not win under ordinary circumstances. Pogi has to crack hard for Jonas to win. It doesn't matter whether you defend Jonas or not , facts remain facts. Jonas himself says his numbers are better than 2022/2023, so Jonas is more or less optimized and we are just see the stochastic variation due to other factors. I think he will retire along with Pedersen in WC denmarkabstractengineer13-11-2026
- They only raced each other during the 2026 Tour, but here's a few metrics to look at. Stage 3 (Granollers to Les Angles): Pogačar won the stage, finishing 2 seconds ahead of Vingegaard (2nd). Del Toro finished 24 seconds behind Stage 6 (Pau to Gavarnie-Gedre / Col du Tourmalet): Pogačar won solo, Vingegaard finished 2nd (losing 2:38), and Del Toro finished 3rd (at +2:57, finishing 19 seconds behind Vingegaard). Here, Jonas Vingegaard outclimbed Isaac del Toro by 19 seconds on the mountain stageawp13-11-2026
- your clinging to the past. Jonas was dropped by del toro many times last year and jonas never managed a climbing numers del toro did in dauphine last year -entire year. Trend is also evident theres no discussion your living in the past, its beent he same with jonas for many years now and only developing, meanwhile del toro is rising and developing greatly. This is all obvious stuff and im not even a del toro fan. No point discussing numbers or this i suspect you dont watch much now but rather think its 2022 still cause this aint hard.miguel13-11-2026
- We can go through metrics if you like, Del Toro, who I do admire and support, is not on the same level as Jonas just yet. You will see that in early 2027 if they have any crossover races. I do hope they both race the Giro. You are correct though, Jonas is getting older and will not be able to hand on much longer. I see 2027 as a good year for him. Obviously behind Tadej though.awp13-11-2026
- What wins? Are you LA operating under a pseudonym?mij13-11-2026
- My point is this - Tadej, Remco, Seixas are all the outliers. Many riders don’t hit their peak until 28. It’s way too early to write him off. And the pogi slo guy that hates him - he’s also immature. Ayuso needs time.mij13-11-2026
- Then you need to use ur eyes or head if you have cause del toro already dropped jonas two times and beat him in tdf stages already this year.. Del toro climbed(dauphine) better numbers than jonas did all year too. So ur feelings and wishful thinking doesnt amtter del toro himself has already surpassed jonas infact just facts. Its also very evident for anyone objective that Jonas is declining alot, its just the truth and super obvious.miguel13-11-2026
- None of those victories stand, so there's that,wrsty13-11-2026
- No surprise there; it is British Sycling, yes, with an S
Rafionain-Glas12-11-2026
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Two Aussies, 🇦🇺 Ben O'Connor and 🇦🇺 Luke Plapp are in the top 5 on the general classification after the time trial! #sbsgiro #Giro #couchpeloton
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