Australian professional cyclist Ben O'Connor has outlined his ambitions for the 2026 season, stating that a strong performance at the upcoming Tour Down Under is crucial to launching his campaign for two major grand tours.
Building on a Podium Pedigree
The 30-year-old Jayco AlUla rider, who famously finished second behind the dominant Tadej Pogačar at the 2024 UCI Road World Championships, is no stranger to elite competition. While acknowledging the Slovenian superstar's current supremacy, O'Connor is focused on maximising his own potential within the next tier of world-class riders.
O'Connor boasts an impressive palmarès, having won stages at all three grand tours. His 2024 season was particularly notable, securing the runner-up spot in the general classification at the Vuelta a España after wearing the leader's red jersey for 13 days. Earlier that same year, he finished fourth overall at the Giro d'Italia.
Overcoming Setbacks and Setting Realistic Goals
The Perth-born climber's first season with the Australian WorldTour team, Jayco AlUla, was hampered by misfortune. An early illness disrupted his schedule, and a crash on the opening stage of the 2025 Tour de France derailed his general classification hopes. Despite carrying a knee injury, he fought back to claim a spectacular victory on the brutal Stage 18, finishing the Tour in 11th place overall.
"There is a lingering frustration from the injuries and illness last year," O'Connor admits. "It's such an annoying sport. There are things that are completely out of your control... But it's a constant motivator too, to always rock up to races ready to go."
His strategy for competing against riders like Pogačar is grounded in realism. "I can't do what Tadej can do, so there's no point in aspiring to be like that," he says. The challenge becomes one of tactical management in the face of inevitable, explosive attacks from the favourites.
Using Adelaide as a Springboard for 2026
O'Connor views the Tour Down Under, which starts this week in Adelaide, as the essential foundation for his entire season. While the South Australian parcours, with its shorter, sharper climbs, may not perfectly suit his strengths as a grinder, he sees the race as ideal preparation.
His grand tour plan for the year is clear and ambitious. "If I'm doing two grand tours, one absolutely has to be all in on GC," O'Connor states. "Then the other one, I'm there to win stages. And that's how I'm going to play it for the rest of my career."
Motivated by his previous success, including a fourth-place finish at the Tour de France in 2021, O'Connor is confident in his capabilities. "I've shown that I'm a GC rider through and through... and I reckon I can do another top five for sure," he asserts. With form, fitness, and the full support of the Jayco AlUla team behind him, O'Connor is poised to discover the full extent of his talent on cycling's biggest stages in 2026.
