Ben O’Connor coughed constantly on the end of stage 20 in Bassano del Grappa however his ache was eased by figuring out he had completed fourth total within the Giro d’Italia even after combating sickness within the closing week.
His Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale squad additionally received the workforce classification forward of Ineos Grenadiers and UAE Team Emirates they usually 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 signifies that we could be proud of our outcomes,” O’Connor stated post-stage after recovering from the large closing effort within the mountains.
On Sunday’s closing stage he can experience into Rome and share a particular second on the ultimate podium together with his teammates.
O’Connor completed fourth within the 2021 Tour de France and received a stage. As 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 12 months, he has returned to his greatest and confirmed he is usually a Grand Tour rider.
“I’d be proud of [fourth], however I’d favor third. Or second,” O’Connor stated earlier than stage 20.
“I really feel like I’m sitting the place I should 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 result 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 arduous for me and Valentin actually, actually helped me quite a bit.
“We managed to come back again to the blokes within the prime 5 within the GC on the finish. I even made a bit of assault and he even made a great dash and obtained second on the stage as effectively. It’s an effective way to wrap up the Giro and now we will have a good time in Rome.”