[American racer Larry Warbasse is looking to return to the Giro d'Italia for the sixth time in his career this May, but the Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale team worker and escape specialist has a new goal: to help teammate Ben O'Connor make the final podium! He has a new goal: to help his teammate Ben O'Connor to the final podium.

Warbus, who is currently competing in the Volta a Catalunya, will head to a high-altitude training camp and then the Tour de Alps before the first Grand Tour of the season, the American rider told Cycling News.

He will be part of Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale starting in 2019 and has competed in the Italian Grand Tour every May since then, except one, but will have a different perspective and set of goals, especially since O'Connor is going for GC.

At the same time, Walbus has been an active participant in the team's remarkable improvement in results this spring, with a total of six wins to date, triple the total of two wins at the same point in the 2023 season.

"I think the new sponsor, Decathlon, has given the team new motivation and everyone is excited," Warbus told Cycling News at Volta a Catalunya. [The engineers also attended the training camp, and the sponsors have a real presence.

"Then everyone starts off strong, and when you see your friends winning, you think, 'I can do it too. The ball starts rolling and hopefully we can keep it rolling here."

Warbas is realistic about what O'Connor can do against Tadey Pogachar (UAE Team Emirates).

"But I don't think Ben is that far behind in terms of being the second favorite, and that's great for us," he added.

"I think if he gets on the podium we'll be pretty happy too. Ben is flying and very motivated. I don't know if he will challenge his friend Taddej, but there is always a chance for a stage win or something else.

Warbus himself admits that it has been a long time since he won the 2017 US Pro Road Nationals, but he does not deny his goals and goals. However, he believes that opportunities will come his way again, and breakaways are definitely the best way for him to get there.

But the opportunity to support riders on the podium in the Grand Tours is also a major career goal, and he told Cycling News that it may finally happen this year.

"So far this year, I have performed very well as a teammate. I've been able to do my job well and stay deep in the race.

"If I can get on the podium with Ben - I've never been part of a team on the podium of a Grand Tour. And if somewhere along the way I could be in a breakaway group and go for a stage win, it would be a dream season."