Ben O'Connor has confirmed today his goals for the 2026 season: the main one will be to compete for the Giro d'Italia's general classification. The thirty-year-old Australian, who won a stage at the Giro in 2020 and finished fourth in the general classification in 2024, is eager to return stronger and more mature to fight once again for the pink jersey with Team Jayco AlUla.

After starting the season in his home country Australia at the Tour Down Under, O'Connor will now shift his attention and preparations to May for the Grand Start in Bulgaria.

"The Giro d'Italia always finds our weak points," O'Connor explained. "Perhaps it's just the Italian charm, or maybe because it's the Grand Tour where I've always believed I could do well. The 2024 Giro and fourth place overall were a good result, but no one is happy finishing off the podium. I would like to change things in the future and can't wait to return this year."

The 2026 Giro d'Italia includes an individual time trial of 40 km and as many as 49,150 meters of positive elevation gain: the perfect combination for the Jayco AlUla team's climber. Living and training at altitude, the return of several mountain finishes above 2,000 meters is a pleasant addition, with O'Connor hoping to shine on the most challenging days.

"Having that long crescendo in the final week with big mountains is something that always suits my style. And it has been replicated again for 2026, especially in the Dolomites stage."

With 12 Grand Tours under his belt, he has also won 4 stages in stage races and knows what it takes to pace himself over three weeks. O'Connor has already come close to a general classification victory with his remarkable second place at the 2024 Vuelta a España, along with another near-podium finish with fourth place at the 2021 Tour de France.

"Ben has already been on a Grand Tour podium," said sports director Gene Bates. "He finished fourth at the Giro a few years ago, so he knows what it takes. This year he is more mature and wiser, and we can't wait to support him in achieving the best possible result at the Giro. His season is built around this initial goal, he had a great start in Australia, and we will help him grow in the coming months to arrive in Bulgaria in the best possible form, with a team ready to assist him in this challenging Giro edition."