Interviews with Michael Matthews & Ben O’Connor Before the Tour de France 2026

In this special pre-Tour de France 2026 episode, we sit down with Australian stars Michael Matthews and Ben O'Connor for an in-depth conversation on form, ambition, and the rapidly evolving world of pro cycling.Matthews opens up about his immense recovery journey back to the start line after a double wrist fracture, detailing the physical and mental grind required to return to WorldTour level and re-establish himself as a major threat in the Tour de France peloton. From pain to preparation, he reflects on what it truly takes to come back stronger at the sport’s highest level.Meanwhile, O’Connor discusses his ongoing pursuit of stage glory and GC opportunities, as he targets another breakthrough Tour performance in 2025 and beyond. He breaks down how his racing style is adapting in a peloton where margins are tighter than ever and opportunities must be seized instantly.Both riders also reflect on one of the biggest shifts in modern cycling: the evolution of performance through advanced fuelling strategies. From in-race carbohydrate intake to recovery protocols and data-driven nutrition, they explore how the sport has transformed into an all-out physiological arms race.