Pogacar, Van der Poel and... "happy man" O'Connor! "That was a nice moment, in good company"

Some 99 percent of cycling fans outlined an ideal podium with Tadej Pogacar, Remco Evenepoel, and Mathieu van der Poel before the World Cycling Championship. Two of the three riders proved accurate after 273 kilometers of crazy racing in and around Zurich. Still, Evenepoel had to give his spot on the podium to the clever Ben O'Connor. And, of course, the Aussie was more than happy with that.

After his second place in the Vuelta a España and the Mixed Relay world title, O'Connor achieved another milestone. "On the podium with Pogacar and Van der Poel, that's good company," he pinched himself in the arm. "I've also shown great things this season, so it's an appropriate podium. I'm proud because nobody probably expected this, and I didn't feel super good during the first few rounds, either."

"I have to thank my teammates, who kept motivating me. Those pep talks helped to get me mentally in the right focus. I timed perfectly in the final kilometer, allowing me to finish second." O'Connor did so by being the only one to pull away from the jaws of Van der Poel, Evenepoel, and co, but was it such a special moment?

No, he was forced to answer. "I don't know how I did it in the end. In any case, I didn't want to attack the side because everyone would see it coming. Was it smart? Tactics? It was the right moment, and then you have to go for it," the Perth man laughed.

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O'Connor on podium with Pogacar and Van der Poel

"This is a top result in a world-class one-day race. I hadn't managed that in the one-day race before, so to come second here at a World Championship is a nice feeling. The icing on the cake after a long season" concluded the Aussie, who will be moving to Jayco AlUla next year.

"I think it was also my only chance in that strong group,' he says after his podium moment with Pogacar and Van der Poel. 'That was a nice moment in good company. We have ridden many races together, and I am proud to be on the podium with them. Surely, that's something I hadn't achieved until now."

The Australians left with Michael Matthews as their leader, but it proved too challenging for the puncher from Canberra. "So it was more up to myself, Jay Vine, and Jai Hindley. Jay opened the race well, after which we were in a seat. When Pogacar went, I did think it was early. The Belgians took control at that point, which did cause some sore legs."

"That Pogacar went didn't change my approach. I didn't go to this World Championship with the illusion that I would win but just to do my thing. Now I finished second, so I'm a happy guy."