The Knowledge: Ben O’Connor on appreciating the details

The Knowledge: Ben O’Connor on appreciating the details

The Girona based Dimension Data rider tells us about the the things that make him tick

Ben O'Connor Racing The Knowledge watch

Reading is a big part of my life. I am a massive Tolkien fan. The films not so much, but definitely all the books. Normally, I will talk a lot, but I enjoy my self time too, sitting in a meadow or wherever it may be. 

I grew up in Perth, where it is dry and hot, and we went to the UK on holidays when I was younger – my parents are from Liverpool. Go north to the Lake District, or south to the Cotswolds, and it is green and lush and beautiful.

Facts and figures fascinate me. A lot of people love drinking wine, but I look it up and do research too. And watches. Like this one, for instance. It’s a 1969 IWC, a beautiful watch. It’s not shouty, you wouldn’t notice it, but I do. It’s all in the little details.

I devour every page of the race road books. Every single stage, the profiles, what the descents look like, the finishes. I research like crazy. There is never an issue, ever. And I spend an awful lot of time on Google Maps. It is my favourite app by far.

This feature was first published in Rouleur 18.6

Further reading:

The remarkable rise of Ben O’Connor

On time: the parallel worlds of watches and two wheels

Paolo Bianchini: from champion cyclist to winning winemaker

A road cyclist’s guide to Girona

The Road Book: Ned Boulting’s 2018 season in review

 

 

The post The Knowledge: Ben O’Connor on appreciating the details appeared first on The world's finest cycling magazine.

Ben O'Connor Racing The Knowledge watch

READ MORE

Amstel Gold Race Ladies Edition 2025 preview: Demi Vollering is back

Amstel Gold Race Ladies Edition 2025 preview: Demi Vollering is back

The first of the Ardennes Classics could see a reduced sprint, unless the climbers can make attacks stick

Leer más
Remco Evenepoel and Tadej Pogačar at the 2024 Tour de France

Amstel Gold Race Men’s 2025 contenders: Will a returning Evenepoel challenge Pogačar?

Rouleur takes a look at the favourites for the first of the Ardennes Classics this Sunday

Leer más
Joe Pidcock's lonely solo ride at Paris-Roubaix: 'The cobbled sectors were full of people walking'

Joe Pidcock's lonely solo ride at Paris-Roubaix: 'The cobbled sectors were full of people walking'

The Yorkshireman was the last rider to cross the line at Paris-Roubaix, 53 minutes and 40 seconds after the winner

Leer más
A Roubaix romance: Why this is sport's greatest stadium

A Roubaix romance: Why this is sport's greatest stadium

The finish of Paris-Roubaix is like no other and the velodrome will be home to legends for years to come, writes Rachel Jary

Leer más
‘Van Aert said he would work for me’ - How Paris-Roubaix’s youngest rider became Visma-Lease a Bike’s unexpected co-leader

‘Van Aert said he would work for me’ - How Paris-Roubaix’s youngest rider became Visma-Lease a Bike’s unexpected co-leader

19-year-old Matthew Brennan impressed in his debut performance at the Hell of the North, at times appearing to be the strongest rider in his team’s...

Leer más

READ RIDE REPEAT

JOIN ROULEUR TODAY

Get closer to the sport than ever before.

Enjoy a digital subscription to Rouleur for just £4 per month and get access to our award-winning magazines.

SUBSCRIBE