Ben O'Connor: Change of scenery at AG2R Citroën is perfect for me

Ben O'Connor AG2R Citröen training camp 2021
Ben O'Connor at AG2R Citroën's pre-season training camp (Image credit: Vincent Curutchet / AG2R Citröen)

After starting 2020 in France at the GP la Marseillaise, Ben O'Connor will once again return to France to get his 2021 season underway. This time, though, the former NTT Pro Cycling rider will be racing on a French team, too, having made the big decision to change surroundings after six years spent at English-speaking squads.

It's a leap of faith for the 25-year-old, who moves on from four years at the South African team to join AG2R Citroën, which has undergone a full rebuild through the winter.

Dani Ostanek
Senior News Writer

Dani Ostanek is Senior News Writer at Cyclingnews, joining in 2017 as a freelance contributor and later being hired full-time. Before joining the team, they had written for numerous major publications in the cycling world, including CyclingWeekly and Rouleur.

Dani has reported from the world's top races, including the Tour de France, Road World Championships, and the spring Classics. They have interviewed many of the sport's biggest stars, including Mathieu van der Poel, Demi Vollering, and Remco Evenepoel. Their favourite races are the Giro d'Italia, Strade Bianche and Paris-Roubaix.

Season highlights from the 2024 season include reporting from Paris-Roubaix –  'Unless I'm in an ambulance, I'm finishing this race' – Cyrus Monk, the last man home at Paris-Roubaix – and the Tour de France – 'Disbelief', gratitude, and family – Mark Cavendish celebrates a record-breaking Tour de France sprint win.