Tao Geoghegan Hart to target Tour de France and Olympics in 2021
Tao Geoghegan Hart is established to make his Tour de France debut in 2021, opting against a defence of his 2020 Giro d’Italia victory to instead fight for the basic classification in France . The British Ineos Grenadiers rider will also acquire intention at the Tokyo Olympics street race, which arrives just 6 times following the Tour finale in Paris.
The Tour will be the fifth Grand Tour of Geoghegan Hart’s career, coming immediately after two participations apiece at the Giro and Vuelta a España. The 25-12 months-outdated was a surprise winner in Italy previous October, beating Team Sunweb’s Jai Hindley by 39 seconds in Milan right after impressing in the final 7 days.
Geoghegan Hart informed The Telegraph that it was a hard conclusion for him to pick concerning the Tour and the Giro, but claimed that it was time to focus on something new.
“It was fairly a lot 50-50 due to the fact I think both would be definitely exciting,” he claimed.
“I adore racing in Italy. I beloved the experience of the Giro. And of course, it would be remarkable to go again there this yr with the number just one jersey. I comprehend the importance of that. But I think as a bike racer, to set it bluntly, you are not able to see the number on your back again.
“Finally, I felt it I desired to goal a little something new and distinctive. And yeah, the biggest race in cycling. I assume you can find no argument there.”
It stays to be witnessed whether or not Geoghegan Hart will be handed a management or co-management role at the Tour by workforce manager Dave Brailsford.
Geoghegan Hart is anticipated to type element of a solid Ineos Grenadiers squad in France, with 2018 and 2019 champions Geraint Thomas and Egan Bernal also in the body for a leadership location. 2019 Giro winner Richard Carapaz and the returning Richie Porte could also make the Tour workforce.
“We have not had that dialogue,” Geoghegan Hart said of workforce management. “And to be genuine it can be not genuinely a conversation I’m as well fascinated in possibly.
“I feel at the conclusion of the day, the legs that you clearly show, most likely coming out of the Critérium du Dauphiné in June, but even just at the get started of the race, that’s what will make your mind up.”
Geoghegan Hart said that he feels ready to compete for the Tour GC this year, introducing that his Giro get has provided him the assurance to imagine in a bid for the maillot jaune.
“Yeah surely, I feel so,” he reported. “I believe 3-week racing truly satisfies me physiologically. Particularly that past 7 days. I really don’t think you will ever see me undertaking anything at all much too appealing in the initial week of a grand tour.
“But I believe as it goes on, and as I showed in the Giro, I was there. And yeah, of study course, I think with that race in mind, that does give me the self-confidence to dream about attempting to obstacle for the Tour.”
He additional, having said that, that his bid for the all round gain won’t have to appear this year. Earning his race debut this summer time could see him acquire practical experience for a GC struggle down the line.
“It does not have to be this yr. I imagine that’s a vital stage. I’m 25 many years aged and I’ve not ridden the Tour just before. Sure, we’ve found two fellas in the previous pair several years get it at in close proximity to more than enough their first attempt. But I feel equally you will find a significant argument to be had for just going there, whole halt. And, you know, approaching the race also with the foreseeable future in brain.”
As for the Olympic Online games, rescheduled for this August because of to the COVID-19 pandemic, Geoghegan Hart suggests that he’s in two minds on irrespective of whether the Giro or Tour deliver the greatest lead-up to the race.
Vincenzo Nibali and Simon Yates will goal the Italian race, nevertheless plenty of major names will try the Tour-Olympics double, unperturbed by the quick turnaround among them.
“I might like to be there,” Geoghegan Hart stated of Tokyo, revealing Fantastic Britain is by now operating on its squad of riders.
“I assume even if we are only 4 riders and other nations have an additional rider, we have probably this sort of a potent, potent group.
“We actually managed to get with each other in December for 24 hrs of conferences and some machines planning and things, which was wonderful, up in Manchester. You will find 10 or so fellas up for the 4 spots that we have. And there is certainly clearly incredible strength in depth in that group.
“I feel you will find three Grand Tour winners, furthermore of course Hugh Carthy, who was on the Vuelta podium previous yr. It really is actually interesting and a huge purpose for me, I assume it constantly has been growing up – especially inside the British Cycling system. But yeah, that is a long way absent.”
