Lidl-Trek: Full confidence in Tao Geoghegan Hart and possibility of Jonathan Milan in the Tour de France

Tao Geoghegan Hart's first season at Lidl-Trek has not gone as expected and the truth is he did not have so much luck. But the American team reaffirms it's commitment to the former Giro d'Italia winner, and may also send Jonathan Milan in hunt of the green jersey at the Tour de France in 2025.

Hart worked hard in winter to get ready at the beginning of the year, but more crashes left him out of options. So, apart from two top 10s in the Algarve and Romandie, he has not achieved any notable result in what has been a rather complicated year for him.

Despite this, Lidl-Trek boss Luca Guercilena has full confidence in him. In an interview with Daniel Benson he gave as keys to his recovery the "confidence and consistency" and regretted his bad luck with two crashes and a Covid-19 infection that left him without the possibility to reach the Tour de France or to arrive in shape at the end of the year to a Vuelta a España in which he could not shine:

"I think during this season that just ended he was unlucky, because after he made a big effort to come back in winter, he was quite unlucky to have more crashes close to some important moments. Despite those crashes, he was able to ride the Vuelta and work in the right way," the Italian said.

On the other hand, and considering that the next Tour de France will have more opportunities than usual for the sprinters, he did not rule out that Jonathan Milan could be in the Grande Boucle next season. It remains to be seen whether he would do so with Mads Pedersen or there would be an alternative calendar, but it is clear that Lidl-Trek are aware that next year's route with flat stages from the start could favor their riders and the team has a very powerful leadout to support it's top sprinter as well.