Tao on the 'tricky' comeback trail

Geoghegan Hart scores first win since 2020 Giro

- Chris Marshall-Bell

Immediately after crossing the line first on stage four of the Volta a Valenciana to win his first bike race in more than two years, Tao Geoghegan Hart pressed his radio and began an impassioned victory scream.

The reaction said everything about the significance of the win for the Londoner, the Ineos Grenadiers rider’s last visit to the top step of a podium being all the way back in October 2020 when he won the Giro d’Italia.

In between has been two barren years, 28 months of frustrations, numerous setbacks, illnesses and injuries. It was little wonder he was so overjoyed at winning atop Alto de la Cueva Santa.

“This is a really tricky sport,” he told the press afterwards. “I’m just bloody happy to win.”

Although the 27-year-old didn’t want to define his triumph as a relief, he was keen to reflect on the previous two seasons to compare his emotions. “It’s an honour and a pleasure to win,” he continued.