3. Ben O’Connor – chosen by Vasco Serrano

From what he had been doing in the months before the Tour, it was impossible not to consider Ben O’Connor as a candidate for the final top 10, or at least for a stage victory. Well, the Australian achieved both and even more. Over the three weeks, he showed he knew how to deal with the ups and downs of competition. He climbed to 2nd place in the overall standings after a resounding victory, leaving his breakaway mates at more than 5 minutes, but lost that position suffering at Mont Ventoux. It may seem he was heading for a free fall, but O’Connor recovered his legs and never again lost significant time. In stage 18, the last mountain stage, he even benefited from the exhaustion of Rigoberto Uran to finish the Tour in an impressive 4th place. I think the most exciting thing about this rider is that his career in the grand tours is just beginning.