BEN O’CONNOR

Dimension Data’s Australian on the Giro, metre- long salami and his sense of direction

What is your favourite race?

I’d have to say the Giro now, because it was just the most incredible race. Passionate is the most widely used word in Italy, ever – but it is. Italy is frustrating. I was living there last year; it’s super frustrating, but whenever they do anything to do with tradition, I think they are unbeatable, with the crowds, the feel and the way they treat you as well.

What’s your favourite climb?

There’s a road back at home in Perth called Turner Road, it’s kind of like someone’s driveway. It’s got barriers you’re not meant to go through and it’s super bumpy, but I love that climb. I think it’s so, so, so nice. Actually, no, the Dolomites – probably Passo delle Selle or the Gardena, they’re definitely some of my favourites. The views from the sheer granite rock...

Who is the best domestique in the peloton?

Someone like Mikel Nieve. He’s always there and he can pull for hours and he’s so, so strong. Or, if you can call him a domestique, Kwiatkowski, because what can’t he do?

Who is your funniest team-mate?

"The Giro was a sucker punch because I didn’t inish, and everyone says you were amazing, but it’s not written there”

Eisel is pretty good. Another one probably was Tyler Farrar. I really got along well with him – at the dinner table when he was in the right mood.

What’s your secret talent?

Knowing where things are. I’m chronic for topography. Where’s this, where’s that, direction, where do we go? I absolutely thrive off that. I love it. And if I get it wrong I am so angry.

What result are you proudest of in your career up to now?

In terms of a definite result, the Tour of the Alps – that stage win - purely because the way the whole stage was raced, I can be proud of that for sure. The Giro wasn’t a result because I didn’t finish [O’Connor crashed out on stage 19 while he was in 12th place overall], but I’m still proud of it. It was a sucker punch, because I didn’t finish, and everyone says you were amazing but it is not written there.

What is the toughest day you’ve had on the bike?

Stage 10 of the Giro. It was 240km, Esteban Chaves got dropped on the first big climb and I was really, really, really bad. I was good at the start on the climb, I felt magic, and then after that I was in a hole I’ve never been in. I remember one 40km section where it was a disaster. I was last wheel on that front group, and I thought I was going to get dropped halfway through.

What is the best prize you’ve ever won at a race?

The Tour of Austria probably, I got a big salami, it would have been like a metre long. It was so heavy. I’m feeble so holding it was… the [podium] girl was there and I was like, I can’t drop it on her, this is going to hurt!

What’s the story behind how you got one of your scars?

I have one on my arm from my first day riding in Europe. We went up a climb in Gavirate [in Lombardy], and it was also the first time I’d used the European brake set up, which is the opposite way around. I grabbed the brake thinking it was the front, and it was the rear and then I just went. I did my fingers as well.