O’Connor entered the 198.9-kilometre trek from Sorgues to Malaucene sitting second in the general classification rankings, having stunned the peloton to take out Stage 9 in Tignes.
The Australian’s efforts then were equally taxing, but in a column for , he revealed just how the abrupt temperature change in the second week of the Tour left him “cooked”.
“It was the heat that got to me,” O’Connor said.
“For sure the stage I won had its effects – I did some proper damage to myself there – but I know what it feels like to be cooked in the sun, and I was cooked in the sun.
“You’re not bonking, but it’s a similar sensation; your heart races to a million, you get a bit clouded, your body hits that point and starts to shut down.
“The abrupt change of temperature after the cold first week was always going to hit someone hard, and Ventoux hit me like a wall.
“It all happened so quick. I only knew I was in trouble right before I got dropped. I was actually feeling OK for most of the climb, sitting behind [race leader Tadej] Pogačar, but then it hit me and all of a sudden, I was in the red.
“I remember everyone looking behind watching me whilst I was getting dropped. I think I looked OK then all of a sudden, I wasn’t. There was nothing I could do.
“I don’t think I’ve ever suffered like that before. I mean, I’ve suffered, but different suffering. When you’re on the attack or in the front group, it can hurt a lot, but you’re out front.
“When you’re out the back, normally you can just pull the plug and end the suffering. But I was second on GC. I had to keep going. I was in the middle.
“I was disappointed but I’m not unhappy about it. It’s one of those things that happens. I was proud I kept on fighting, because I could have easily just pulled the parachute.
“Most of all, I’m just glad I don’t have to go up Mont Ventoux again anytime soon.”
The 25-year-old currently sits fifth ahead of Stage 16’s journey to Saint-Gaudens and admits he is looking forward to finishing a Tour he will never forget.
“I’m just excited,” he added. “I can see the finish now.
“It’s two big hurdles to go, then the time trial. It feels close. I wish I could do those three days straight away, back-to-back, and then finish and know the outcome, but I have to go through it all, and I guess that’s the beauty of it.”
The Tour de France continues with Stage 16 on Tuesday, LIVE from 8:30pm (AEST) on SBS and SBS On Demand, with the SKODA Tour Tracker app commencing at 8:55pm (AEST).
