The transfer window has just opened, and Jayco-AlUla has moved swiftly to secure Ben O’Connor as their new signing. O’Connor, who has achieved fourth place at both the Giro d’Italia (2024) and the Tour de France (2021), will lead the general classification efforts for the Australian team. He is shifting from Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale after four seasons and has committed to a two-year contract with Jayco-AlUla. This move comes as the team prepares for the departure of their current top contender, Simon Yates, in 2025.
“To be honest, itโs really an idea Iโve always loved; to race as an Aussie and win on an Aussie team,” said O’Connor in a media release from his 2025 and 2026 team. “Iโm at a point now where I need to deliver, so itโll be even more special to do it with an Australian set-up. To have the opportunity to race with mates at the top level is rare, and I am just so keen to get stuck in.”
O’Connor joined the WorldTour in 2017, but it was in 2021 that he truly showcased his Grand Tour potential. He clinched a stage victory on stage 9 of the Tour de France and maintained his position to finish just one spot off the podium. The 28-year-old has been striving to make that next big leap in Grand Tours, and Jayco-AlUla believes he has the potential to achieve it with them.
“My ambitions are to stay aggressive, consistent, and hopefully one day change these fourth-place overall finishes at Grand Tours into overall podium placings. Victories are just as important, and throwing the hands up in the air as soon as I can is high on the list,” O’Connor added.
Jayco-AlUla’s general manager, Brent Copeland, expressed his enthusiasm for the new signing. “With Ben OโConnor, we are obviously looking at someone who will fill the general classification gap with Simon Yates moving on,” Copeland said. “We feel that OโConnor will fit into the team well, culture wise, which is really important for us.”
Jayco-AlUla isn’t solely relying on O’Connor for their future general classification hopes. Last year, they also signed Luke Plapp, who is part of the team’s long-term plans. However, O’Connor seems ready to make an immediate impact.
“With the general classification, we believe he has room for improvement and with this team, we will be able to get the best out of him. It is a very significant and important signing for us for 2025,” said Copeland.
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