Ben O'Connor proved his potential in the Tour de France by finishing 4th overall and winning a stage in 2021. Although this year's race was less successful and far more challenging, he spent a day at the front on Friday and enjoyed racing and sprinting with some of the best rouleurs.

O'Connor abandoned his plans to fight for the podium in the opening week of the Tour. He joined the breakaway of new GC leader Felix Gall, who won the queen stage to Courchevel, and finished third on stage 10 behind Mohoric teammates Pero Bilbao and Georg Zimmermann (Intermarché Circus Wanty).

The Australian, who did not expect to be part of the contested breakaway on stage 19, was pleased to finish third behind Matej Mohoric (Bahrain Victorious) and Kasper Asgreen (Soudal-Quickstep).

"I was really excited today. I wasn't going to be in the breakaway group, I was going to relax and take it easy, but it was like a one-day classic," O'Connor said after the race.

"The first two weeks were lost, except for one stage in Issoire where I even finished third. It was good to feel normal again in the last couple of days."

"I still have a question mark over myself about what happened in the first two weeks, but at least I can rejoice that I am starting to perform at my best, which is what I expect at the end of the Tour de France."

O'Connor expects the final stage in Vosges on Saturday to be a firework, and he has not ruled out Gal, who is currently eighth overall, playing a part.

"There will be a lot of groups on the road fighting to the end. I think we'll see a show," he predicted.

As the tough tour continues, the 27-year-old is enjoying the change of pace as well.

"I like these aggressive, chaotic races. I don't weigh 50 kg, so I have a lot of power and I'm good on a TT bike."

"It was a lot of fun to go mano-a-mano with two of the world's strongest roulers.