Tao Geoghegan Hart says he wants to fight for Grand Tours every year
After winning the Giro d’Italia, the Brit says the dream is to now win the remaining three-week races
Tao Geoghegan Hart has earned his rest this off-season.
The Brit returned to the UK as an unexpected Grand Tour winner after his remarkable performance in the Giro d’Italia, which saw him triumph on the final stage after a tumultuous race for the Ineos Grenadiers.
But after travelling back to London to celebrate the victory and take some deserved rest, Geoghegan Hart, 25, is already preparing for 2021, and has said he hopes to race for Grand Tour victory every year.
In an interview with Italians newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Hackney-born pro said the dream is to also win the Tour de France and the Vuelta a España, to complete the set of three-week victories after his success in the Giro.
Geoghegan Hart said: “Of course that's my dream.
“I think to win the Giro as your first Grand Tour is amazing really, especially this year with everything that's happened and how difficult it's been for everyone.
“But definitely, that's the objective. I hope that I'm going to have another 10 years or more of my career and the plan is to fight every year for those races and also for the Giro of course.”
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Ineos went into the Giro backing pre-race favourite Geraint Thomas, but after the Welshman crashed out in first week it looked as though another Grand Tour victory was out of reach for the British team.
But in the final week Geoghegan Hart emerged as an unexpected front-runner, thanks in part to some phenomenal support rides by Rohan Dennis.
The race came down to the final time trial in Milan, with Geoghegan Hart tied on time with Sunweb’s Jai Hindley as the former eventually came out on top.
Ineos also came away with seven stage victories - two for Geoghegan Hart, four for Filippo Ganna, and one for Jhonatan Narváez.
>>> Cross country skier signs with Egan Bernal’s old team after showing ‘exceptional values’
Geoghegan Hart said: “As a group, not only the riders, also with the staff, we had a really amazing three weeks of course, not without problems and difficulties. We lost two of our team along the way and we had some tough moments for sure.
“It feels quite a long time ago, but I can't wait to see to see the guys again. And I'm sure it's a race that we'll be talking about for the years to come. And certainly it's a race of course that I'll never ever forget.”
He added that he is now back on the bike for the first time since the Giro, riding for up to three and a half hours as he begins his preparation for 2021.
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Alex Ballinger is editor of BikeBiz magazine, the leading publication for the UK cycle industry, and is the former digital news editor for CyclingWeekly.com. After gaining experience in local newsrooms, national newspapers and in digital journalism, Alex found his calling in cycling, first as a reporter, then as news editor responsible for Cycling Weekly's online news output, and now as the editor of BikeBiz. Since pro cycling first captured his heart during the 2010 Tour de France (specifically the Contador-Schleck battle) Alex covered three Tours de France, multiple editions of the Tour of Britain, and the World Championships, while both writing and video presenting for Cycling Weekly. He also specialises in fitness writing, often throwing himself into the deep end to help readers improve their own power numbers. Away from the desk, Alex can be found racing time trials, riding BMX and mountain bikes, or exploring off-road on his gravel bike. He’s also an avid gamer, and can usually be found buried in an eclectic selection of books.
-
VanMoof e-bikes back on sale in UK with promise of 'more reliable' models
The Dutch brand went bust last summer, but is now back with improved S5 and A5 and a new repair system
By Adam Becket Published
-
Amateur cyclist breaks Strava KOMs on Mortirolo and Stelvio, makes plea for pro contract
'Let's hope some kind of opportunity comes from this,' said Canadian Jack Burke, after taking the Mortirolo crown
By Tom Davidson Published
-
No Tao Geoghegan Hart at Tour de France after Covid and broken rib
The 29-year-old crashed at the Critérium du Dauphiné, fracturing his rib in the process
By Adam Becket Published
-
Primož Roglič’s debut and an explosive Jonas Vingegaard: Seven things to look out for at Paris-Nice and Tirreno-Adriatico
The two stage races should provide plenty of narratives next week
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Tao Geoghegan Hart ready for ‘unknown’ as he begins new ‘adventure’ at Lidl-Trek
British rider set to make racing comeback at Volta ao Algarve on Wednesday, nine months after serious crash
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Tao Geoghegan Hart to target Tour de France for Lidl-Trek in 2024
Londoner says goodbye to Ineos Grenadiers in heartfelt message: "Having had the chance to work with so many great people has been a privilege"
By Adam Becket Published
-
Tao Geoghegan Hart moves to Lidl-Trek from Ineos Grenadiers for 2024
Londoner signs three year deal with new team, and says he has "plenty of growth" still to come
By Adam Becket Published
-
Is it just Remco Evenepoel vs Primož Roglic? Eight GC contenders to watch at the Giro d’Italia
As well as Remco Evenepoel and Primož Roglič, a host of other strong riders are set to do battle in the next three weeks of racing
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Tao Geoghegan Hart ready for Giro d'Italia after sealing Tour of the Alps victory in Italy
British rider says he will savour his second-ever overall win, before turning his attention towards the fast approaching Italian Grand Tour
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
‘Just stay calm and relaxed’: Tao Geoghegan Hart one day from second-ever overall victory
Barring major disaster, the Ineos Grenadiers rider will wrap up overall victory at the Tour of the Alps in Brunico on Friday
By Tom Thewlis Published