It was a debut Tour de France to remember for the 25-year-old from Western Australia. Cadel looks forward to seeing what’s next for O’Connor.

Speaking from the Champs-Elysees today Australia’s only Tour de France winner, Cadel Evans, congratulated Ben O’Connor, who finished fourth overall on this year’s general classification.

“To see him in the break and win the stage [9 in Tignes] was great. But, to see him be solid in the third week is a great sign for his future and his real capabilities.

“I hope that the guys at AG2R Citroen can build around him and help him improve from his fourth place…and let’s see how far he can go.”

O’Connor started racing seven years ago as a teenager in Perth when he got an aluminium bike for his birthday. Now, he is one of just 14 Australians to win an individual stage at the Tour and one of four Aussies to finish in the top five of the world’s greatest cycling race.

After the final stage in Paris O’Connor said: “It was much harder than I thought it was going to be, but it’s amazing. Thank to everyone for the support from Australia, it means a lot to me when I can’t come back home.”

Of Tadej Pogacar’s (UAE Emirates) second consecutive Tour de France victory, Cadel added: “He is incredibly strong, there’s not much people can do against him.”

See more at SBS Cycling Central

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