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Ben O'Connor is one of Australia's top professional cyclists and currently rides for world tour team Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale.
O'Connor sprung to prominence when winning a stage at the 2021 Tour de France, before going on to finish fourth in the general classification.
However, after an impressive three weeks at the Giro d'Italia in 2024, it looks as though the 27-year-old will not be heading to the Tour de France this year.
Rumours are also rife that O'Connor could switch teams for next season, but for now he will see out 2024 with the French team Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale.
Here is everything you need to know about the West Australian.
| Name | Ben O'Connor |
| Date of birth | 25th November, 1995 |
| Place of birth | Perth, Western Australia |
| Current team | Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale |
| Odds | 501.00 to win Tour de France |
Professional career so far
Riding for Team Dimension Data, O'Connor made his grand tour debut at the 2018 Giro d'Italia, but unfortunately it did not go according to plan.
O'Connor crashed out with a broken collarbone, but he bounced back well in 2019 when riding in both the Giro and Vuelta a Espana.
He finished 32nd and 25th respectively, gaining great experience that would serve him well in the years to come.
In 2020 he picked up his first major stage win when taking out Stage 17 at the Giro d'Italia, before finishing 20th overall in the General Classification.
But it was the year after in 2021, when O'Connor really made a name for himself at the Tour de France.
The 27-year-old had switched teams to AG2R Citroen and it paid off for him.
Winning a stage at the Tour is huge, and winning one while part of a French team is even bigger, and O'Connor did just that when taking out Stage 9.
It was also the manner of the victory that caught the eye. A talented climber, O'Connor managed to get himself into the break, before attacking in the mountains with 17kms to go.
O'Connor rode solo to take the win, which also moved him up to second overall on the general classification.
He did slip down the GC, but still made it to Paris, finishing fourth, which was a massive result and the highlight of his career so far.
What does the future hold?
O'Connor's long-term future with Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale remains shrouded in doubt and rumours are rife that he could be on the move.
Australian world tour team Jayco-AlUla are known to be in the hunt for O'Connor as a replacement for the departing Simon Yates.
O'Connor would be offered the opportunity to lead Jayco-AlUla, which would be too good to turn down if the rumours turn out to be correct.
For now O'Connor will see out the season with AG2R, but he will not be heading to the Tour de France.
The 27-year-old had an impressive Giro d'Italia when finishing fourth on the general classification and AG2R have indicated he will not go back-to-back with the Tour.
Instead AG2R will build their team around Felix Gall, who will be their main hope for the general classification.
The Austrian can be backed at 81.00 to win the Tour de France, but realistically, a top 10 spot is the best he and AG2R can hope for.
All eyes will be on O'Connor to see where he races next and if an announcement is made over a move to Team Jayco-AlUla.