Ben O’Connor from Australia has achieved an impressive victory at the 2025 Tour de France, triumphing in its most challenging stage, the 18th, in the French Alps. He executed a daring solo attack on the formidable Col de la Loze, finishing almost two minutes ahead of the overall race leader and reigning champion, Tadej Pogacar, representing UAE Team Emirates-XRG.
This win represents O’Connor’s second stage victory in his Tour de France career, his first being in stage nine of 2021, where he also secured an overall fourth position. His latest accomplishment highlighted not only his prowess over the demanding 171 km course, which featured a staggering 5450m climb across three major ascents, but also reaffirmed the capability of Australian cyclists to excel in such extreme conditions.
Describing the significance of his win, O’Connor expressed pride in both his personal achievement and that of his team, Jayco AlUla, remarking, “Getting it done today means a lot to me.” He noted that this victory is especially meaningful as he strives to represent Australian cycling on the world stage, saying it was about time he achieved a major result as an Aussie rider on an Australian team.
The grueling stage, often referred to as the queen stage of the Tour, included several Hors Catégorie climbs. O’Connor’s strategy to attack from the valley was developed in consultation with his team’s sports director, Matthew Hayman. Drawing from Hayman’s advice, O’Connor seized the moment with the mindset of having “nothing to lose.” He elaborated, stating that on the Col de la Loze, the race was straightforward; it was a matter of whether one could keep up or not.
O’Connor’s triumph not only enhances his standing, positioning him in the top 10 of the general classification, now 29 minutes behind Pogacar, but it marks a pivotal moment in his transition from the French AG2R Citroën team to his current Australian team. As he savours the success of this extraordinary stage win in the Tour de France, O’Connor’s performance has undoubtedly resonated with cycling enthusiasts, showcasing the strength and skill of Australian cyclists on an international platform.