When plans come to fruition: Ben O'Connor hits the jackpot at UAE Tour

GCN speaks to Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale rider before and after his stage 3 victory, as the Australian climber praises proud teammate Valentin Paret-Peintre

00:17, Thursday 22nd February 2024

George Poole

Junior Writer

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Ben O'Connor sported a big grin after a job well done on Jebel Jais

Peeling off his sodden skinsuit and dabbing a towel over his upper body on Tuesday afternoon, Ben O'Connor cut a pensive figure at the end of the UAE Tour time trial. 11th place on stage 2 was not to be sniffed at over a course that did not suit him, but the Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale climber was not completely satisfied with his efforts.

"I just don't think I was super strong today, to be honest," he told GCN whilst resting on the brim of his team's minibus. "Even to see that I was tenth was a surprise, I thought I was going to be worse. So in the end, it is not too bad, but I think I just suffered a bit with the high power."

Almost immediately for the Australian, attention turned to stage 3 and the chance to make amends on the mountain stage to Jebel Jais. UAE Team Emirates may have swept the podium on Tuesday - with Brandon McNulty boasting the stage win and overall lead of the race - but Wednesday would give O'Connor and his teammates an immediate chance to hit back.

"There's never going to be big splits I don't think, but I've never done it. I guess with UAE having so many guys up there now, it's up to them to control it and up to us to try and take some time back."

More prophetic words could not have been spoken as the 28-year-old turned to pull on his team-issue t-shirt. A 200km+ transfer in the 12-seater followed for the Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale squad, but on the upper slopes of Jebel Jais, it was just a pair of blue and white jerseys that came to define stage 3.

UAE defence prompts O'Connor into action

As was to be expected with UAE Team Emirates closing out stage 2 with McNulty, Jay Vine and Mikkel Bjerg sitting first, second and third in the general classification, respectively, the plan of action on stage 3 was one of defence for the Italian side.

Echelons threatened to define the day early in proceedings on Wednesday, but once the peloton approached Jebel Jais, McNulty and his band of willing climbers looked to set a suffocating tempo in an effort to dissuade attacks from their rivals.

"I knew I had it in my legs to be there for the guys and I think after I closed the first two attacks, nobody wanted to attack until the end," Bjerg told GCN shortly after the finish, having led the front of the race for much of the final 10km.

"So I think it was nice defending from the team, they just kept their calm and trusted in me."

Unfortunately for Bjerg and his leaders, not all plans of aggression were discouraged. Whilst Einer Rubio (Movistar), winner of this stage last year, and Jan Hirt (Soudal Quick-Step), runner-up at the recent Tour of Oman, both fired their bullets too soon, O'Connor and his teammates devised a plan at the foot of the climb that would break UAE Team Emirates' stranglehold.

"He said at the bottom, 'I am really good today,' [but] I didn't think he [could] do this because the climb is not steep," Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale's Valentin Paret-Peintre told GCN a few hundred metres after the finish line.

Collapsed atop his handlebars, the surprising role of Paret-Peintre in the day's defining moment soon drew a small crowd of media to the Frenchman's side. Just minutes earlier, the 23-year-old had launched a devastating attack within 1,300m of the finish that saw all riders but O'Connor dropped from his wheel.

Valentin Paret-Peintre: 'The objective is to win the GC. [Ben] is in really form and the last climb of the last day is our best

Grasping the opportunity to leave a blow on UAE Team Emirates with both hands, the Australian powered his way to the victory atop Jebel Jais, coming over the line a handful of seconds ahead of a group led home by Vine and Lennert Van Eetvelt (Lotto Dstny).

Still visibly shocked by the pair's late ambush, Paret-Peintre detailed the winning moment that O'Connor orchestrated behind the punishing pace of Bjerg.

"On the last kilometre, Ben says 'you can go now' and I go slowly and he says, 'no, full!' Then I go full and I don't have words, I think it is one of my [most] beautiful days on the bike," he said with a huge smile to the by-now small group of journalists. With each comment, the elation felt by Paret-Peintre was etched more clearly in his expression - something which came as no surprise to stage winner, O'Connor.

"He's a proud guy and he's been wanting to race with me for quite a while, so it's pretty sweet," smiled O'Connor, talking exclusively with GCN shortly after conducting anti-doping protocols.

"I think we'll do the Giro [d'Italia] together so it's nice to build a relationship with a guy like that, who has a lot of capacity and potential. He's only a small man, but he's got a huge heart and he's strong. So I couldn't be happier for him."

'Jebel Hafeet will suit me a lot more than today'

As for the immediate future, Paret-Peintre and O'Connor's eyes lie squarely on using stage 3 as a platform for more success, much as they did stage 2.

Although the Australian rode to a memorable win on Wednesday afternoon, Thursday, Friday and Saturday shall see the French WorldTeam target the sprints through Sam Bennett, before O'Connor looks to overturn an 11-second deficit to new race leader Vine on Sunday.

"I'm here to win races, I don't want to be a GC guy that doesn't win. It was nice to throw a bit of caution to the wind and to get another win," O'Connor said at the day's press conference, referencing his early season success at the Vuelta a Murcia.

Sitting behind the microphone just moments before Vine would pass comment on the stage, O'Connor issued a warning call to his rivals with an eye to the final-day mountaintop finish on Jebel Hafeet.

"That will suit me a lot more than today's climb... I'm pretty hopeful."

For all the important information about the 2024 UAE Tour, be sure to check out our dedicated race hub for our full preview, the race startlist and much more.