Tao Geoghegan Hart goes to the Vuelta with 'big ambitions'
The 23-year-old will be striving to achieve 'as much as possible'
Tao Geoghegan Hart will embark upon his first Grand Tour on Saturday as the Vuelta a España kicks off, and he says he won't be racing 'just for experience.'
The 23-year-old from London's Hackney joined Team Sky as a stagiaire at the end of the 2015 season, taking a permanent role in 2017 - after choosing to spend another year with American Continental team Axeon-Hagens Berman in the interim.
This year, he supported Geraint Thomas to a Critérium du Dauphiné win, also taking fifth overall at the Tour of California.
In a release on Team Sky's website, Geoghegan Hart commented: "I’m excited to get to Malaga and get stuck in", adding “it’s a case of keeping an open mind and being ready to make the most of it.”
>>> The rise of Tao Geoghegan Hart: British prodigy’s long road to Team Sky
Though he's keen to take lessons during what will be the longest race of his life, he's not about to talk down his chances of personal success, either.
“I’m ready to learn a lot and gain new experiences but not feel like that’s the limitation of the race and the three weeks."
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
"I’ll be striving for as much as possible and looking to make the most of it" he said, adding "going to the race and saying it’s just for experience or to try and finish would be a massive oversight and loss of opportunity. In the end what you have is what you have, but definitely go in with big ambitions and see what’s possible."
Geoghegan Hart - who was amongst the crowds at Team Sky's launch back in 2010 - missed out on selection last year, with the UK outfit opting to take a juggernaut squad to support Chris [Froome] to the win.
However, he now accepts that the disappointment provided motivation which has brought him to readiness in 2018.
"Knowing I was close [last year] was already a good step in the right direction," he said “I was confident enough in January and February [2018] to make La Vuelta my big goal of the year. It feels like a fairly natural progression, step by step, and I think it’s important."
"There was no need to have rushed it or gone for it before I was ready and the team, management and coaching staff felt like it was the right time.”
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Michelle Arthurs-Brennan the Editor of Cycling Weekly website. An NCTJ qualified traditional journalist by trade, Michelle began her career working for local newspapers. She's worked within the cycling industry since 2012, and joined the Cycling Weekly team in 2017, having previously been Editor at Total Women's Cycling. Prior to welcoming her daughter in 2022, Michelle raced on the road, track, and in time trials, and still rides as much as she can - albeit a fair proportion indoors, for now.
-
Cycling computers are getting inexplicably big - how did it come to this?
The Wahoo Elemnt Ace is just the latest phone-sized bike computer, and it’s getting a bit silly
By Adam Becket Published
-
The Competitive Cyclist '12 Days of Deals' sale is packed with festive cheer – with up to 50% off, these Christmas cycling bargains won't last long
Deals Treat the cyclist in your life to something they'll love with big cycling deals from Castelli, Gorewear, Specialized and more
By Paul Brett Published