Ben O'Connor: Baby face becomes conqueror

[yaco]

He is just not a very good climber. Especially on modern routes.

He is great in longer, grinding slogs. Greatest GT successes have been breaks.

The freshest efforts in the Tour were the MTT and Ventoux. He was horrible. In the Vuelta it were Moncalvillo and Ancares.

What you say is true, however, he was awful in 2025 with the way Jayco prepared him for the year. Different build up and he will do better in 2026.

 

[Rockestar_33]

Hoping he doesn't do the Tour next year. I think we'd be better placed going for top 5 in Italy and Spain instead of top 10 in France.

 

[yaco]

Hoping he doesn't do the Tour next year. I think we'd be better placed going for top 5 in Italy and Spain instead of top 10 in France.

I believe he is doing the TDF which is fine. I am more concerned that he's doing the Aussie summer. Maybe he could win the Aussie nationals, but he's never done much in the TDU, which jayco can cover with Plapp or Schmid.

 

[Rockestar_33]

I believe he is doing the TDF which is fine. I am more concerned that he's doing the Aussie summer. Maybe he could win the Aussie nationals, but he's never done much in the TDU, which jayco can cover with Plapp or Schmid.

I just think we're better off with targeting the other two tbh, although the long and steady climbs in France (especially 2x Alpe D'Huez) does suit him.

 

[yaco]

I just think we're better off with targeting the other two tbh, although the long and steady climbs in France (especially 2x Alpe D'Huez) does suit him.

He is riding the Nationals as I posted. BOC talks about lots of team support, yet, Jayco has few Aussies on their team. BOC, Bling, Plapp, O'Brien, McKenzie and Durbridge. In saying that, they should still win the National RR.