Team Dimension Data’s Ben O’Connor won the white jersey for the best young rider when the Tour of the Alps finished in Innsbruck yesterday.
The Australian finished fifth on the final stage and seventh overall.
Bahrain-Merida’s Mark Padun put in a solo attack to the finish to win the stage.
At the start of the 164km final stage Dimension Data’s Igor Anton was part of a nine-man breakaway. He was reeled in with 40km remaining.
Team Dimension Data’s Ben O’Connor finished seventh overall and won the white jersey when the Tour of the Alps ended in Innsbruck yesterday. Photo: Stiehl Photography
Astana’s Miguel Angel Lopez opened up a gap on the descent and was soon joined by overall winner Groupama-FDJ’s Thibaut Pinot and Bahrain-Merida’s Domenico Pozzovivo.
O’Connor had to deal with a punctured tyre, but managed to catch the chasing group. The leaders were ultimately caught with 4.5km to go.
“I was feeling really good and was ready to try something similar to the other day, when I won, but I had a really untimely puncture on the last climb,” said O’Connor.
“Today was another day of tough racing around the World Champs course.”
The 22-year-old praised the team, saying they had placed him into position before getting onto the circuit, which was crucial.
“I didn’t have to spend unnecessary energy. Then it was down to my legs on the circuit.”
Finishing seventh was “amazing” and boosted his confidence, he added. “Winning the white jersey was something I had looked at but I wasn’t sure I could do it.
“This week has given me a massive confidence boost. I know now I can be up there on GC and ride with the best guys in the world.
“The way the team helped me develop is something, I think, no other team would have let me do. So, a big thank you to them.”
O’Connor, who won stage three, said the week had been just what their Giro d’Italia team needed.
“The stage win this week was much needed, because that’s the point of what we do: we race to win and be part of the finals.”
