Cycling: Ben O'Connor profile

Australian cyclist Ben O'Connor has set his sights on grand tour podiums after it was confirmed he will ride for Jayco-AlUla from 2025.

O'Connor has finished fourth in both the Tour de France and Giro d’Italia, and is now looking to push on to the next level with his new team.

The Perth-born star will see out the season with Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale and is set to ride the Vuelta a Espana, which begins next week.

But then he will return home to the Australian team after agreeing a two-year deal with Jayco-AlUla.

Here is everything you need to know about the Western Australian.

Name	Ben O'Connor
Date of birth	25th November, 1995
Place of birth	Perth, Western Australia
Current team	Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale
Odds	51.00 to win Vuelta a Espana

Professional career so far

Riding for Team Dimension Data, O'Connor made his grand tour debut at the 2018 Giro d’Italia, but unfortunately it did not go according to plan.

O’Connor crashed out with a broken collarbone, but he bounced back well in 2019 when riding in both the Giro and Vuelta a Espana.

He finished 32nd and 25th respectively, gaining great experience that would serve him well in the years to come.

In 2020 he picked up his first major stage win when taking out Stage 17 at the Giro d’Italia, before finishing 20th overall in the General Classification.

But it was the year after in 2021, when O’Connor really made a name for himself at the Tour de France.

The 27-year-old had switched teams to AG2R Citroen and it paid off for him.

Winning a stage at the Tour is huge, and winning one while part of a French team is even bigger, and O’Connor did just that when taking out Stage 9.

It was also the manner of the victory that caught the eye. A talented climber, O’Connor managed to get himself into the break, before attacking in the mountains with 17kms to go.

O'Connor rode solo to take the win, which also moved him up to second overall on the general classification.

He did slip down the GC, but still made it to Paris, finishing fourth, which was a massive result and the highlight of his career so far.

What does the future hold?

O’Connor's future has finally been sorted out following the news he has has penned a two-year contract with Australian World Tour team Jayco-AlUla.

Speculation over his future with Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale has been raging for some time, but now the cat is out of the bag.

O'Connor will see out the 2024 season with the French team before making the switch to his new team for 2025.

The 28-year-old has spoken of his desire to finally make a podium at a grand tour and would love to do it with an Australian team.

However, he will first get the chance to do it with Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale at Vuelta a Espana, which is the final grand tour of the 2024 season.

O'Connor showed good form when finishing fourth at the 2024 edition of the Giro d’Italia, but then skipped the Tour de France.

The podium will be the aim at the Vuelta, but he can be backed at 51.00 to win the overall general classification.

O'Connor will be sure to return to the Tour de France in 2025 as Jayco-AlUla’s team leader.

He will replace British rider Simon Yates, who is leaving Jayco-AlUla to join Visma-Lease-a-Bike for 2025.