I would love to see more diversity in cycling, which could definitely come from the sport increasing in popularity in cities like London. This is an amazing sport that takes you to incredible places so I hope I can inspire a few kids in Hackney to dream big.”
This was Tao Geoghegan Hart reflecting on what his win in the Giro d’Italia at the weekend could mean. You might expect such a ‘big picture’ view to come from a rider after a few months of reflection, once the initial elation of the moment had faded. But the fact it came only moments after the 25-year-old won one of the most prestigious races in cycling tells you a lot of what you need to know about him.
“Before I even met him, everyone would talk about it – this Tao, he has something special about him, personality wise,” says Joscelin Ryan of the Rayner Foundation – the charity which supports young riders and which Geoghegan Hart enjoyed the support of between 2014 and 2016. “And it’s true – he’s extremely mature, extremely intelligent, he knows what he wants and he’s determined,” she says.
This tale of a mature, level-headed and focused individual was echoed by all those we spoke to about Ineos Grenadiers’s newest star – a rider who had long shown promise in the Grand Tours and even co-led the team in last year’s Giro d’Italia – but for whom overall victory still seemed a way off.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der October 29, 2020-Ausgabe von CYCLING WEEKLY.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der October 29, 2020-Ausgabe von CYCLING WEEKLY.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
Is pro racing getting more dangerous?
There are many factors that contribute to the perceived greater risks. One that does not get any attention is the greater importance of UCI points and the need to constantly collect them to avoid relegation.
A Saturday in Hell
It's the most brutal race of the year - 29.2km of the worst cobbles northern France has to offer, over 17 agonising sectors, starting in Denain and finishing in the iconic Roubaix velodrome. For the men, it's referred to as a Sunday in Hell, but for us, hell comes a day early.
Gitane - Tour de l'Avenir
Classic French brand's homage to a revered amateur race
6 WAYS TO THINK YOURSELF FASTER
However flawless your physical preparation, the mind has a tendency to throw a spanner in the works come the big day. James Witts offers six ways to keep the brain onside with the body
MAURICE BURTON'S - SCHOOL OF HARD KNOCKS
9 life lessons from Britain's first Black cycling champion
PEAKS PRACTICE
The Peak District is home turf for Manchester-based British pro riders and has been the formative terrain of top domestic riders for decades. Adam Becket finds out why it's so effective
Zeb Kyffin: stepping out of the fish bowl
TDT-Unibet's British rider tasted the team's first World-Tour event at the Amstel Gold Race. Adam Becket finds out how the day went
Thomas to go for 'very top step' at Giro
Welshman and Ineos ready for duel with Tadej Pogačar, reports Adam Becket
Brown and Niewiadoma beat Vollering
SD Worx-Protime are far from unbeatable in 2024, as team misses out in Ardennes Classics
Pogačar lays down marker for Giro d'Italia
Liège win signals Slovenian's readiness for clash with Geraint Thomas, reports Adam Becket