AG2R Citroën's key riders update us: O'Connor doesn't want to be too hard on himself, Gall is luxury helper

Ben O'Connor and press conferences, it may not be an ideal combination. On Friday, he stood alongside the entire AG2R Citroën team, facing the journalists, but the atmosphere seemed somewhat uncomfortable at times. IDLProCycling.com took part in the event!

As an Australian in his third year with a French team, O'Connor can understand a bit of French but still struggles to speak it fluently. When a journalist from France asks him a question, an awkward situation arises. The Aussie, who was quietly gazing ahead, puts on headphones and then gets into gear.

"Last year, after a podium finish in the Critérium du Dauphiné, I couldn't showcase my abilities in the Tour, but hopefully, I can do it this year. The transition from the Dauphiné to the Tour is not that big; you can only make limited physical improvements in two and a half weeks," O'Connor said. He finished third in the French preparatory race this year.

In 2022, he crashed in the second stage, but the challenging start of this season is seen as an advantage by the Australian. "You could say it starts with a bang. That's easier for me than last year when it was very technical and anything could go wrong. This is mentally much easier, although there's no script for the first day. Anything can happen on Saturday."

According to O'Connor, he has learned how to be a team leader. "In 2021, I was already sort of a leader, but I didn't realize it myself," he reflects on his fourth-place finish in the Tour de France. "Last year, I was in the same position as now, but I learned from that disappointment. The Tour is the biggest race in the world, but life goes on regardless. You shouldn't be too hard on yourself, that's the main thing I want to improve for this edition."

O'Connor thinks there will always be two AG2R riders among best climbers

He can already count on a strong team. "I think this is the best support I've ever had. Aurélien Paret-Peintre has won a stage in the Giro, Clément Berthet keeps improving, and Felix Gall is now among the best climbers in the world. At least one of them will surely be with me at any given time, even if there are only ten riders left."

IDLProCycling.com was curious to know if Gall thinks he can surprise himself again in this Tour edition, after his strong performances in the Tour de Suisse. "I felt really good in Switzerland, but if I can perform at that same level in the Tour, I would already be surprised," answered the Austrian. "However, my main goal is to support Ben as best as possible, and then we can see later if I can get the freedom to go for a stage win."