"We have to be realistic: he is not yet at the same level as a Pogacar or a Vingegaard" but Ben O'Connor can lead Jayco AlUla to success insists team boss

Ben O'Connor had a real breakthrough year in 2024. Although the Aussie has long been considered a quality rider and a potential podium threat at the Grand Tours, this year O'Connor starred at the Giro d'Italia and the Vuelta a Espana before taking a silver medal in the road race at the World Championships.

Casting an eye toward the 2025 season though, O'Connor is set to take on a new challenge, departing the Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Team after four years, to join Australian-based Team Jayco AlUla. "We have liked O'Connor for a long time, ever since he was in the South African team Dimension Data: you could see that he had talent, especially for the Grand Tours," says team boss Brent Copeland about his new GC leader, in conversation with Bici Pro.

Although as mentioned, O'Connor has long been a favoured rider with Team Jayco AlUla bosses, it wasn't until this transfer window that a move made sense for both parties. "When Simon Yates told us he was changing teams, we had to act quickly to replace such an important athlete," Copeland explains. "Ben was free, and I contacted him immediately. We started talking, we exchanged ideas, and he was also happy to change. Of course, Decathlon AG2R was not happy with him leaving, but they understood the reason for this choice. I am happy. O'Connor has shown he can handle the rain at the Giro d'Italia, the heat at the Vuelta and the cold at the World Championships. His latest results have given him a lot of confidence."

Having finally got himself on the Grand Tour podium this year, finishing 2nd at the Vuelta a Espana, can the move to Jayco help O'Connor go one step further in the coming years and secure a Grand Tour victory? "We have to be realistic: he is not yet at the same level as a Pogacar or a Vingegaard, and competing with these champions is not easy. But he can do good races, put on a show, get results," Copeland assesses, cooling expectations.

It's not as if Jayco are lacking suitable climbing support for O'Connor though. "Of course, next to him there will be Patrick Gamper and Koen Bouwman, experienced people who have worked with great leaders. And then there is Filippo Zana, who we need to understand well how to "place". We have Luke Plapp... In short, yes, we have several valid riders for the Grand Tours and can build a solid team," says Copeland proudly, also noting the main area O'Connor needs to improve. "Definitely in time trials. With Marco Pinotti he will be able to make great progress, and Marco has already started working on this. Then I think that clear objectives are needed for the Grand Tours: knowing what can really be achieved and making him feel like a leader."

"Mentally he has improved a lot and has learned a lot this year. He was the only one at the Giro to try to hold Pogacar. It was the Oropa stage, remember? Then he paid for the effort, it's true, but he realized the feat. He tried," Copeland concludes. "And in fact, he never made the same mistake again. At the Vuelta he rode as a leader. He held the red jersey for a long time and managed the team as the first in the standings. Maybe he also thought he would give up earlier, and instead he understood his qualities. Qualities that he discovered he had even in the tough one-day races."