“The whole team has improved this week" - Tao Geoghegan Hart delights INEOS by securing Tour of the Alps overall victory

With the Tour of the Alps being a traditional precursor to the Giro d'Italia, INEOS Grenadiers must now surely head to Italy full of confidence after a dominant week of racing in the Alpine mountains.

“The whole team has improved this week, so that is also a success," winner of the general classification and two stages, Tao Geoghegan Hart revealed post-race. "I can now enjoy this victory for the first time. A long drive to Munich awaits, after which I fly home tomorrow to recuperate."

A former Giro winner, Geoghegan Hart proved to have the best legs of an all-star INEOS lineup that also included Giro contenders Thymen Arensman and Geraint Thomas. In what was expected to be a challenging final day for the British-based team, their dominance came to the fore and allowed Geoghegan Hart to savour the moment of his victory.

“There were some uncertainties before the start with the first ascent, but in the end it was a solid day. I am very happy with this victory," he says. "Staying healthy is now the goal. It is important to start the Giro fresh, with a very tough third week. I believe there will be three rides with 5000 altimeters. There is still a long way to go.”