Ben O’Connor coughed constantly on the end of stage 20 in Bassano del Grappa however his ache was eased by realizing he had completed fourth total within the Giro d’Italia even after preventing sickness within the last week.
His Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale squad additionally received the group classification forward of Ineos Grenadiers and UAE Group Emirates and so they loved two stage victories with Valentin Paret-Peintre and Andrea Vendrame.
“To win the groups classification, take fourth total in GC and two stage wins implies that we might be pleased with our outcomes,” O’Connor stated post-stage after recovering from the large last effort within the mountains.
On Sunday’s last stage he can journey into Rome and share a particular second on the ultimate podium along with his teammates.
O’Connor completed fourth within the 2021 Tour de France and received a stage. Because the 28-year-old ponders his future, even perhaps away from Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale given his contract is up on the finish of this yr, he has returned to his finest and confirmed he could be a Grand Tour rider.
“I’d be pleased with [fourth], however I’d want third. Or second,” O’Connor stated earlier than stage 20.
“I really feel like I’m sitting the place I need to be to be trustworthy. Fourth is honest as a result of Dani [Martínez] has been higher and Geraint [Thomas] has been extra constant.”
O’Connor has dug deep as a consequence of his respiratory issues however knew the Monte Grappa stage was his final massive effort. He suffered however survived, thanks to assist from teammate Valentin Paret-Peintre, ending eighth on the stage and importantly on the identical time as Antonio Tiberi (Bahrain Victorious) to fend off the problem of the rider in fifth total.
“We began in a storm, with some horrible rain after which just about had two one-hour time trials up the Monte Grappa,” he stated, summing up his day of ache. “The second time was actually laborious for me and Valentin actually, actually helped me so much.
“We managed to return again to the blokes within the high 5 within the GC on the finish. I even made a little bit assault and he even made dash and acquired second on the stage as nicely. It’s an effective way to wrap up the Giro and now we are able to have fun in Rome.”
