The surprising winner of the Giro d’Italia 2020, Tao Geoghehan Hart (Ineos Grenadiers) will not defend his title in May after he has decided to focus on the Tour de France and Olympics.
The Ineos Grenadiers rider told the The Telegraph he wanted a new challenge.
“I was pretty much 50-50 [between targeting the Giro and the Tour] because I think both would be really exciting,” he said. “I love racing in Italy. I loved the experience of the Giro. And of course, it would be incredible to go back there this year with the Number One jersey. I understand the significance of that. But I think as a bike racer, to put it bluntly, you can’t see the number on your back.”
“Ultimately, I felt I wanted to target something new and different. And yeah, the biggest race in cycling. I think there’s no argument there,” Geoghegan Hart said.
“I’m not worrying about anyone else, or vying for leadership. I’m just hoping to be another great card to play. And part of that, I think, is that one of the biggest strengths of our team is to go in with a really strong squad. And then kind of work it out as the race unfolds.”
Geoghegan Hart faces tough competition for a leader role at the Tour de France and his hopes of riding at the Tokyo Olympics are similarly congested.
“There’s 10 or so guys up for the four spots that we have,” he said. “It’s really exciting and a massive goal for me, I think it always has been kind of growing up especially within the British Cycling system.”
