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Follow us on GoogleDecathlon CMA CGM has strengthened its lineup for Paul Seixas for 2027 with the addition of Ben O'Connor. After two seasons with Jayco AlUla in his home country, the Australian climber is returning to his former team, having previously ridden for the French squad from 2021 to 2024.
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O'Connor has not had huge success at Jayco AlUla
O'Connor, now 30, racked up his biggest successes while riding for what was then AG2R. For example, in 2021 he won a stage in the Tour de France, and in 2024 he finished second in the Vuelta a España after wearing the red leader’s jersey for a long time.
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Things haven't quite gone as planned for Jayco AlUla over the past two seasons. O'Connor did score a victory for the team, and it was a big one: last year, he won a stage in the Tour de France.
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Decathlon is working on support for Seixas
Despite cinching the stage win in the tour, it just wasn't quite enough for the team leader in terms of the standings. The Aussie will now be riding more in Seixas's wheel at Decathlon, looking to support the young Frenchman.
Seixas, who delivered an historic win at the Tour of Lombardy, is considered one of Tadej Pogačar's main challengers in the coming years. He has not shied away from voicing his ambitions to beat the Slovenian in the future.
Sivakov also joins the ranks
In addition to O'Connor, Pavel Sivakov (UAE Emirates-XRG) and Laurens De Plus (Netcompany INEOS) are also expected to join the team to bolster the lead-out train for Seixas.
O'Connor has signed until 2028, while Sivakov, who wrote a touching goodbye message to UAE Emirates-XRG on Instagram, will be with the team until 2029.
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Sivakov paid tribute to his former team
Sivakov said, "I already feel nostalgic, knowing that these will certainly be some of the best memories of my career," as part of a longer tribute to the threes years he spent at UAE.
Clarice WebsterEditor
Clarice has been following cycling her whole life, wroting about Thibaut Pinot (among others) for her university magazine while earning her masters in Journalism. She is passionate about furthering equality in sports coverage, and has taken huge inspiration from pillars of women’s cycling like Beryl Burton, Marianne Vos, and Laura Kenny.
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Latest Comments
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