Ben O’Connor coughed repeatedly 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 last week.
His Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale squad additionally received the crew classification forward of Ineos Grenadiers and UAE Group 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 mentioned post-stage after recovering from the massive last effort within the mountains.
On Sunday’s last stage he can trip 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. 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 greatest and confirmed he is usually a Grand Tour rider.
“I’d be proud of [fourth], however I’d want third. Or second,” O’Connor mentioned earlier than stage 20.
“I really feel like I’m sitting the place I need to be to be sincere. Fourth is truthful as a result of Dani [Martínez] has been higher and Geraint [Thomas] has been extra constant.”
O’Connor has dug deep resulting from 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 mentioned, summing up his day of ache. “The second time was actually exhausting for me and Valentin actually, actually helped me lots.
“We managed to come back again to the fellows within the high 5 within the GC on the finish. I even made a bit of assault and he even made a great dash and received second on the stage as properly. It’s a good way to wrap up the Giro and now we will rejoice in Rome.”
