13/03/2023

"I would have been very happy if they had told me this before the race" - Tao Geoghegan Hart thriving as form returns and injuries stay absent

2020 Giro d'Italia winner Tao Geoghegan Hart has had two very difficult seasons, but in 2023 he is yet to have a wrong step. At Tirreno-Adriatico he kept his run of good form going, as he ended the race on the final podium and has shown great form against many of the riders he'll battle at the Giro.

“I would have been very happy if they had told me this before the race. I knew I was in good condition. I think this time of the season is always tricky with a mix of classics and stage racers all preparing their big goals," Hart said in an interview with SpazioCiclismo. "I'm really happy to have had a week without any problems, I've felt better and better every day in the race and it continues the momentum I've built so far this season."

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Hart has struggled to achieve results all throughout 2021 and 2022. This year however he's entered with strong form, taking his first win in almost three years at the Volta a Comunitat Valenciana where he finished third in the GC. Followed a sixth place at the Vuelta a Andalucia, and now in Italy he continued his first consistent run of form since 2020.

“I had a lot of fun here, there's a good atmosphere in the team this year, we have a really good group, it's a pleasure to race with my mates and this result is the icing on the cake, because in the end cycling is really tough and I enjoyed every day and when things go well it's even better," he explained.

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Hart looked sharp, and performed on the two decisive stages of the race, to bring himself into the final podium of the race in San Benedetto del Tronto. He's co-leading INEOS Grenadiers at the Giro alongside Thymen Arensman, and possible Pavel Sivakov and Geraint Thomas, but has gained a few extra points when it comes to his own chances here.

"Now a bit of recovery from this really tough week, then I'll have a training camp with the team. Then we'll see if we can start again from this good result to keep improving," Hart concluded.