Ben O'Connor
" I'm proud of this week
"Everyone's legs were heavy after the intense week we'd had. We were all exhausted. But the start of the stage was completely crazy. Everyone wanted to break away. I'm glad I was able to hold on and feel much better at the end of the stage. Oliver Naesen,Nans Peters, andDorian Godon supported me very well, and I told myself that if my legs hurt, it must be even worse for them and that I couldn't give up. Our goal was to be in the mix at the end. I'm proud of this week. I feel good with this group and the team trusts me. I felt supported even during the less favorable periods at the start of the season.
With the exception of Jonas Vingegaard, the level of most of the favorites is very consistent, which is good news. It allows us to see where we stand as we approach the Tour.
"I feel good with this group and the team trusts me.
The news
Alps stage reconnaissance for Ben O'Connor next week
Ben O'Connoris staying in the Alps for a few days. After a little rest, he will scout the route of several stages of Tour France in the Alps next week with some of his teammates.
9
Key number
Ben O' Connor's third-place finish in the Critérium du Dauphiné, one year after achieving the same result last year, is the ninth podium finish in this event for the AG2R CITROËN team since its creation, after Arturas Kasputis (3rd in 1994), Alexandre Vinokourov (winner in 1999), Benoît Salmon (3rd in 2001), Christophe Moreau (1st in 2007, 2nd in 2006), Romain Bardet (2nd in 2016, 3rd in 2018).
