Giro winner Tao Geoghegan Hart: The Shadow Man

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Giro winner Tao Geoghegan Hart: "I couldn't have imagined that in my wildest dreams"

Photo: Luca Bruno / AP

His bosses shouted at him on the radio not to take any more risks for the last few kilometers.

And by then Tao Geoghegan Hart probably already knew that he would make it.

That he, who had actually only started as a helper, would win this unusual Giro d'Italia.

Shortly afterwards, he shot across the finish line next to the Milan Cathedral on his time trial machine.

But it wasn't until competitor Jai Hindley reached the finish line, 39 seconds slower than him, that Geoghegan Hart clenched his fist and accepted the first congratulations.

His girlfriend Hannah Barnes, also a professional cyclist, had come specially.

When the Giro d'Italia started at the beginning of October, with the former Tour de France winners Geraint Thomas and Vincenzo Nibali or top riders like Simon Yates and Steven Kruijswijk, there was no way of knowing how this tour would end in Milan.

Hindley and Geoghegan Hart, two underdogs, were just 0.86 seconds apart before the final time trial.

The final turned into a duel between the shadow men, a duel between two drivers, both of whom were actually only planned as helpers.

That the 25-year-old Tao Geoghegan Hart (pronounced Tayo Gaygan Hart) can now call himself Giro winner is a surprise, but one that can be explained.

The favorites at the beginning of the Giro were other drivers: his captain Thomas, for example.

But he broke his pelvis in a fall on the third stage and had to give up.

Team Ineos overturned its entire racing strategy.

Shortly afterwards, Yates and Kruijswijk and their teams got out because of positive corona tests.

It became apparent that an outsider could triumph on this tour.

A rider with a talent for tours, who climbs well and is a robust time trial.

Just like Geoghegan Hart.

"I could not have imagined it in my wildest dreams when we started in Sicily almost a month ago," said Geoghegan Hart in Milan: "In my entire career I have dreamed of being in the top ten or maybe even To land five in such a race. "

A professional with head and strength

As a teenager, the native of London was considered one of the greatest talents in British cycling.

In 2015 he tried his hand at Team Sky, now Ineos.

He is even said to have skipped school for training.

But then he preferred to stay with a smaller team for two more years to gain experience.

A wise decision, because the jump from talent to Sky professional was likely to have been just as difficult as the path from youth team to regular player at FC Bayern Munich in football.

Recently, his former youth coach Stuart Blunt told the Daily Telegraph that Geoghegan Hart is now "at the top. Not just his physical abilities, but also his attitude and commitment. He is very level-headed."

Strength and head helped Geoghegan Hart make the jump.

He has been a professional with Team Ineos for four years and now lives in Andorra because of the better training conditions.

In view of his great talent, there was also the question of when he could get racing wins for Ineos.

Getting past the captains Thomas, Christopher Froome and Egan Bernal, all former Tour winners, hardly seemed possible.

Now Geoghegan Hart got the unexpected chance at the Giro to step out of the shadows of his boss - and took it.

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Victory on the 15th stage: Tao Geoghegan Hart had time to take off his sunglasses before the cheers

Photo: 

Massimo Paolone / AP

Ineo's team boss Dave Brailsford told Eurosport that after Thomas left he had opened the race for the rest of the team.

The drivers were now freer and were allowed to drive for stage wins themselves.

Geoghegan Hart should try to follow the Giro favorites.

"I think he liked that," said Brailsford. "He grew into the role."

Geoghegan Hart won the mountain stage to Piancavallo, taking off his sunglasses in the final sprint.

Former Tour winner Bradley Wiggins then called him a "guy".

And youth coach Blunt agreed: "Tao is a nice guy, but he's also pretty clever. He has character."

The 25-year-old also won the 20th stage and, as a decent time trial, put himself in a good position to win the Giro, the greatest success of his career to date.

Saving the season

Perhaps Geoghegan Hart of all people saved Team Ineos the season, the triumph at the Giro could be the only Grand Tour win this year.

On top of that, the British won seven stages and won the team championship, rarely has a team been more successful at a Grand Tour.

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Cheers in front of the Milan Cathedral: Tao Geoghegan Hart looks at the Giro trophy

Photo: 

Gian Mattia D'Alberto / AP

Actually known as a cool analyst, Team Principal Brailsford looked almost euphoric.

Froome and Thomas had led the 56-year-old to five Tour victories with a defensive strategy that dominated the peloton.

For years the Ineos train caused boredom in cycling at the top of the races.

Now Brailsford was enjoying the exciting Giro.

"We made the move, the defensive driving style. We won a lot with it, but it's not that much fun in comparison," he told Eurosport: "This sport is about the races, the emotions, the exciting moments , and that's exactly what we want to achieve. "

It sounds like Brailsford is considering completely changing the strategy of Team Ineos.

He has already made important transfers for the coming year.

Now, with Geoghegan Hart, another driver is available as the upcoming captain.

It remains to be seen whether he will remain in the spotlight in the future.

Shortly after the Giro victory, Geoghegan Hart was asked if this was the beginning of a great career.

He replied, "I don't know and I don't really care. I'll just enjoy this."

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