O'Connor set for Decathlon return to link up with Seixas
L'Equipe reports that the Australian climber is set to make a return to the French team after two years away.
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Ben O'Connor is set to return to Decathlon CMA CGM for 2027, according to L'Equipe. The Australian currently rides for Jayco AlUla, having joined the team in 2025 after four seasons with Decathlon.
He would replace Felix Gall, who looks destined to join Lidl-Trek for 2027 after placing second overall at the Giro d'Italia. Gregor Mühlberger is also set to swap Decathlon for Lidl-Trek.
During time at Decathlon (formerly AG2R) from 2021 to 2024, O'Connor established himself as a leader of the team. In 2021, he soloed to victory on stage 9 of the Tour de France in Tignes and ended fourth overall in Paris.
2024, O'Connor's last campaign at Decathlon, was his most successful to date. The Australian climber finished fourth overall at the Giro d'Italia, before winning stage 6 from the breakaway and wearing the red jersey at the Vuelta a España for thirteen stages. He eventually relinquished the lead on stage 19 and finished second overall behind Primož Roglič.
O'Connor also added a silver medal in the road race at the World Championships in Zurich, as well as winning the team time trial event with Australia, before making the switch from Decathlon to Jayco.
Following his switch to Jayco, O'Connor added another stage of the Tour de France to his palmares, winning in Courchevel after conquering the Col de la Loze.
The 30-year-old features in Jayco's Tour squad for 2026, but based on L'Equipe's reports, it could well be his last in the purple colours of the Australian team before rejoining his former side for 2027.
A return to the French team would see O'Connor link up with rising sensation Paul Seixas, who will make his Tour debut when the race kicks off on Saturday in Barcelona, becoming the youngest starter in 89 years.
One rider with whom O'Connor is unlikely to be teammates next season, based on reports, is Felix Gall, who, fresh off his second-place finish at the Giro, is set to move to Lidl-Trek for 2027.
Before attention turns to 2027, O'Connor's full focus will be on the opening team time trial of the Tour in Barcelona, which takes place on Saturday. Jayco's squad includes Pascal Ackermann, Luke Durbridge, Felix Engelhardt, Michael Matthews, Kelland O'Brien, Luke Plapp, and Mauro Schmid.
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