Tao Geoghegan Hart’s career has been shaped by the Giro d’Italia in dramatic ways. The London-born rider won the race in 2020, when the event was pushed to October during the pandemic, lifting the trophy awarded to the overall champion. Three seasons later, his momentum was broken by a crash on Stage 11 of the 2023 Giro on the road to Tortona, which left him with a serious hip fracture. In June 2024, he was hurt again at the Critérium du Dauphiné, suffering fractures to his ribs and back.
Geoghegan Hart’s Journey Through Triumphs and Trials
In the years between those highs and setbacks, Geoghegan Hart moved from INEOS Grenadiers to Lidl–Trek and navigated the uncertainty that comes with long recoveries. Earlier this year he said it was the first winter he had not needed surgery or rehabilitation since his injuries. Although early-season illness interrupted his schedule, he felt he had built a solid base. He also acknowledged that translating good training sensations into racing form takes time and that he had yet to experience a day where everything clicked, while stressing that this remains the target.
As he turns 31 this Monday, Geoghegan Hart knows he still needs to secure his place for upcoming team selections. He believes his strongest performances tend to come in the final week and a half of a three-week race, provided he reaches that phase in top condition.
Looking back on his breakthrough, he has previously said he did not begin the 2020 Giro expecting to fight for the overall title, given his limited palmarès at the time. The full significance of the achievement only sank in when he finally wore the leader’s jersey, even as he tried to keep his approach unchanged. He often points to the value of contributing to team victories and building something that numbers alone do not capture.
The next stretch of the season, particularly in May, will be a crucial test of whether he can rediscover the form that once turned the Giro d’Italia pink. With dedication and resilience, Geoghegan Hart aims to return to the forefront of professional cycling, proving his ability to overcome adversity and achieve greatness once again.