Ben O'Connor: "I'm taking it to the next level"
"On Friday, I felt a lot of emotion thinking about the Tour de France, what I was achieving.
Today, I am very happy. I am taking a new step with a team that has put its trust in an Australian rider . When I think back to what we went through on the first day, when I thought I had a broken shoulder, I had stitches and pain everywhere, that almost the whole team had fallen, I can only savor what we are experiencing right now."
Aurélien Paret-Peintre : "I am satisfied
"It was a difficult time trial in a beautiful landscape... which I thought was very nice to watch on TV before the start. I am happy to finish my first Tour de France. The result is quite good even if the last week is difficult. I was able to take two good breakaways that allow me to be in front of a respectable general classification. I am satisfied."
The number
7
With Ben O'Connor's 4th place finish, this will be the seventh time since 2014 that an rider from the AG2R CITROËN team will finish in the top 10 of the Tour de France.
Jean-Christophe Péraud had finished 2nd in 2014, Romain Bardet, 2nd in 2016, 3rd in 2017, 6th in 2014 and in 2018, 9th in 2015 and Ben O'Connor 4th in 2021.
The news
Ben O'Connor to return to the Deutschland Tour
After a few days of rest, Ben O'Connor will resume racing at the Deutschland Tour (August 26-29).
He should then participate in the Tour du Jura (September 4), the Tour du Doubs (September 5) and the Tour du Luxembourg (September 14-18).
Aurélien Paret Peintre, Nans Peters and Dorian Godon will compete in the Tour de l'Ain (July 29 - August 1).
Oliver Naesen will be at the start of the Artic Race (August 5-8).
Greg Van Avermaet, Benoît Cosnefroy and Michaël Schär will compete in the road race of the Olympic Games (July 24).
These programs are subject to change
