After a rollercoaster of setbacks, is this the year Tao Geoghegan Hart finally shines again? It's a question on the minds of cycling fans as the former Giro d’Italia champion enters his third season with Lidl-Trek.
Since joining the team in 2024, the British rider has faced a string of unfortunate events. His first year was marred by a fractured rib and a bout of Covid, which sidelined him from the Tour de France. Last season brought more woes, with a spring stomach illness and a summer chest infection.
Geoghegan Hart himself admitted on Instagram last June that “it was proving quite tricky to bring all the pieces of the puzzle together at once” in his career.
Now, Lidl-Trek’s performance manager, Josu Larrazabal, expresses optimism about Geoghegan Hart’s prospects for 2026. He states that they're entering the final year of his three-year contract, and despite the rough start, he's hopeful. Larrazabal told Italian outlet bici.pro, “We finally managed to have a good winter. We're keeping our fingers crossed, but so far it's been ideal. He feels it too; he's happy. He's had a smooth run.”
Geoghegan Hart’s best result since joining Lidl-Trek is a third-place finish at last year’s Tour of Slovenia. His last victory was at the 2023 Tour of the Alps, where he secured two stage wins and the overall title.
But here's where it gets controversial... Larrazabal indicates that Geoghegan Hart won't have a “rigid” race schedule this season. His campaign will kick off at the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana, with either Tirreno-Adriatico or the Volta a Catalunya to follow.
Larrazabal emphasizes the mental toll of a prolonged period of setbacks, saying, “No matter how strong you are, no matter how many victories you've had in the past, when you go through such a long period where things aren't going smoothly, things get tough, really tough.” He adds that they are taking things one step at a time, with the winter's success being the only certainty for now.
Regarding the Giro, which Geoghegan Hart won in 2020, Larrazabal suggests that his participation depends on specific conditions. He states that the rider must rediscover his confidence and stability before considering the race. “We don't even know if we'll make the Giro, because we have to take several steps first. The priority is health, then consistency.”
What do you think? Will Geoghegan Hart overcome his recent challenges and return to his winning form? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
