Ben O'Connor targets a general classification in Giro d'Italia again this year
Ben O'Connor will once again line up at the start of the Giro d'Italia this year. The 30-year-old Australian finished fourth overall two years ago, but his team Jayco AlUla is setting the bar even higher this season.
"Ben has previously stood on the podium of a Grand Tour," refers team director Gene Bates in a press release to the 2024 Vuelta a España. "He already finished fourth in the Giro two years ago, so he knows what it takes. This year he is older and wiser, and we look forward to supporting him to achieve the best possible result in the Giro."
"His season is built around the Giro d'Italia," Bates adds. "He had a strong start to the season in Australia, and over the coming months we will help him arrive in top form in Bulgaria, with a team ready to support him during a challenging Giro."
"I've always had a soft spot for the Giro," the leader himself adds. "Maybe it's the Italian allure or because I have always felt I could perform well in the Giro. I once finished fourth overall. That's a good result, but it's never fun to just miss out on the podium. I would like to change that and can't wait to be there again this year."
O'Connor will face competition in this year's Giro from top favorites including Jonas Vingegaard, João Almeida, Mikel Landa, Richard Carapaz, Felix Gall, Enric Mas, and Jai Hindley.
