The former Giro d’Italia has had an up and down time since recording that victory. With that grand tour win looking like the beginning of a successful period, the Brit hadn’t experienced the top step of the podium again until today. After crossing the line, Geoghegan Hart screamed into his team radio and then the tears came as he was surrounded by teammates. The impact of victory here, was very clear to see as the Londoner has struggled with injuries, illnesses and setbacks and key moments since his monumental Giro win. Winning at the top of Alto de la Cueva Santa exorcised a lot of demons.
“This is a really tricky sport. I’m just bloody happy to win. I am super happy with that. It’s an honour and a pleasure to win. It’s a really hard sport to do well in, to have success in, so I am just really happy to have paid off my teammates. They did an amazing job on the second stage and it was one of those days where I didn’t get it right – I could have had more confidence in some respects.
But Rome wasn’t built in a day and after the last few years it’s all about taking momentum, taking it day by day, and all those other boring cliches. I’m just happy and grateful that I have had an uninterrupted winter without any problems and consistent training. I know that when I have a good block the condition comes, that’s never been an issue. The last couple of years it was just a case of a lot of setbacks whenever I felt like I was getting to the place I wanted to be.”
Tao Geoghegan Hart
Geoghegan Hart’s victory was set up by the Ineos Grenadiers team which seemed the only ones truly aware of the importance of the final corner and the reduced opportunities to pass after that. The Brit was delivered perfectly and left to finish things off. Fellow Brit Thomas Gloag of Jumbo-Visma made it a 1-2 for the nation, with GC leader Giulio Ciccone finishing the stage in 3rd place. Pre-race big favourite Aleksandr Vlasov was 4th. Bonus seconds now sees Geoghegan Hart move up to 2nd place ahead of Pello Bilbao – Ciccone’s lead is now just 4 seconds to the Brit.
Tomorrow’s final stage sees a flat final 30km that should do little to trouble Ciccone’s position at the head of the GC standings unless the Italian gets into trouble somewhere on the stage.
Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana Stage 4 results
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