Volta ao Algarve: Tao Geoghegan Hart rides into the unknown on Lidl-Trek debut

Tao Geoghegan Hart is set to make his first race appearance after crashing out of last year’s Giro d’Italia at the Volta ao Algarve, starting this Wednesday. The five-day race in Portugal also marks the British rider’s first outing in Lidl-Trek colours after moving from Ineos Grenadiers in the off-season.

The 28-year-old is targeting the Tour de France this summer but his first race in Algarve is an important stepping stone for the former Giro d’Italia winner. He has been out of competition for almost nine months since fracturing his left femur.

“It’s been super exciting for me to be back in the environment of a team full stop, having been half a year away from cycling, a life I’ve been so accustomed to in the last 15 years. I missed that dynamic of being in the group and with your teammates,” he said ahead of the race.

Read more: Serene expectations: Tao Geoghegan Hart’s new adventure at Lidl-Trek

Geoghegan Hart spent seven seasons at Ineos Grenadiers before signing a three-year deal at the American squad, Lidl-Trek.

Last summer was spent recovering and rebuilding at home, but he linked up with his new team during a December training camp in Spain. During the camp he told the gathering press that he no longer had any strength discrepancy or flexibility issues.

That said, this is still Geoghegan Hart’s first stage race of what will likely be a busy spring and summer, and the all-rounder will carry little in the way of pressure during his first few appearances of the season. After such a serious injury it’s impossible to determine just where Geoghegan Hart’s form will be over the next week but he’s ready to race and see what early momentum he can build on.

Read more: Volta ao Algarve 2024 start list

The opening stage in Algarve is designed for the pure sprinters but the uphill finish on stage 2 to Alto da Fóia, the 22km time trial on stage 4, and the final summit finish on stage 5 to ​​Malhão will provide a basis on which Geoghegan Hart can build upon.

When asked what success in 2024 would look like, he said: "I think having the ability at the end of the season to look back and be really proud of the adventure of coming into a new team and a new environment.

"Having some performances where I can say that everything really clicked that day and all the work I did, whether that be through the rehab or through the winter on the bike, all came together and was shown in that moment," he added.

“Being able to look back and really feel proud that that whole journey culminated in those performances is key. It’s going to take a lot of hard work still and that's, you know, something that is always an unknown, but I'm excited for that.”

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