Lidl-Trek in Tour de France turmoil: Tao Geoghegan Hart out, question marks regarding Ciccone's Tour readiness
Cycling
Tao Geoghegan Hart will not participate in the Tour de France. His team, Lidl-Trek, announced this in a press release on Friday morning. He was ruled out following a crash in the Critérium du Dauphiné and will not be fit in time, especially since he contracted COVID-19 after leaving that race. A huge blow for Lidl-Trek, which had planned to appoint Hart as their leader for the overall classification.
Geoghegan Hart switched from INEOS Grenadiers to Lidl-Trek last winter, where he immediately gained full trust with a leadership role in the Tour. His crash in the 2023 Giro d'Italia, where he broke his hip and didn't race again for INEOS, did nothing to change that. The 2020 Giro winner had shown excellent form in recent months heading toward the main goal of the summer.
However, things went completely wrong in the Dauphiné. First, there was a massive crash on day five, where a wet descent also took down many other big names. Geoghegan Hart collided with an electric pole and did not finish the race. Back home, he contracted COVID-19. "I thought those days were over, but unfortunately, I haven't been able to ride all week," he said on the matter.
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Geoghegan Hart let down, will Ciccone be fit in time?
In a press release from Lidl-Trek, the team stated that Geoghegan Hart is also recovering from a broken rib from the Dauphiné. "This kept him sidelined for longer than initially expected. Wishing Tao all the best for a good recovery. The Team can’t wait to see him back racing at 100 percent as soon as he is ready."
Lidl-Trek is in a tough spot heading into the Tour de France. Besides Geoghegan Hart, Giulio Ciccone also contracted COVID-19 in the Dauphiné. The Italian was unable to train for several days, but no decision has been made regarding his Tour readiness yet. Earlier, IDLProCycling.com spoke with team leader Steven de Jongh about Lidl-Trek's alternative plan, which already considered Ciccone. "If he gets through the first few days well, I expect we'll see great things from him," said De Jongh about the Italian.
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Latest Comments
- I wish we could have seen him try. He'd absolutely get dropped before Pogi overtakes his domestiquesVeganpotter10-12-2024
- Talk is cheap! Next year barring crashes with a healthy team... all well be on track! Some need to talk to make a headline!mootman27-11-2024
- I do not see this event listed on HBO Max Sports Online? Can anyone confirm? Thanks!
MrYuck23-11-2024 - It seemed that he was focusing forward at the time of the crash, after seeing a quick video snippet. But one thing I think he should focus on more intently is breaking a bad habit he has, right now. And that is his constant looking over his shoulders. He does that so much, that I am very sure it is not good for him. Simply watch videos of the greats of CX and you will see very little of that constant looking over their shoulders. That is a behavior that betrays a bit of insecurity on his part. He shouldn't be so concerned, incessantly, about what is over his shoulder. He needn't worry they didn't all disappear. He neds to keep his focus more ahead of himself, and he needs to pay a bit more attention to himself, in a confident manner. It is very frustrating to watch, because it is apparent that he has a lot of potential, and is in much better shape thwan many of his competitors, but the mental game needs to be sharpened more, because that part of strategy plays a huge part in the final results
reemmo022-11-2024 - hahahaha love this shit! I didnt even watched the race, but reading all the gossip articles of how stupid this is!Zatoichi19-11-2024
- Van Aert is really handsome. He can influence me all day! Ditto for Philipsen. Why do you think many of us love cycling?: to see heroic attempts at climbing mountains at high altitudes or to watch speedsters sprint for the finish line or to watch a human being ride at break neck speed down a tricky descent? No, it's all about their lean physiques and muscular legs. (apologies for objectifying these dedicated and amazing athletes).BarwonHeadsUp25-10-2024
- It is unfortunate that the author can't feel the joy that Pogacar brings to the sport and his fans who are legion and I for one feel lucky to have watched such a memorable performance and historic season From the Strada until yesterday with multiple wins in stages in both tours and beyond dominance in the World's. He is proud to wear the Rainbow stripes, shows his leadership to protect his fellows and is as courteous and sportsman-like as the sport allows. He goes early to not have to respond to each attack as all the rest would make him do it. Any racer who could would do the same. Don't "grow tired" of greatness as it is always fleeting.ccrider13-10-2024
- What load of rubbish. Pog is likely a once in a generation cyclist, the like of which hasn't been seen since 'the Cannibal '. How many people were complaining that Merckx was making racing predictable? I remember this year's World RR as one of the most exciting I've watched. Mainly BECAUSE Pog was the favourite and launched what everyone thought (Pog included) was a suicidal attack with 80km to go. For the next 2 hours, I was on the edge of my seat thinking "this is too much, even for Pog". Maybe Zonnefeld prefers the snooze-fest that is a bunch sprint? Like most people I know, I can't watch two hours of the bunch riding very fast... I wait for the final 5km and watch just the sprint. In any event, most races are won from a sprint or lone break. What difference does it make who makes the lone break? Ultimately, the other contenders will have to figure out a way to beat Pog. Even if that means collaboration between teams. It's going to be an exciting few seasons, until the next Pog arrives on the scene. If this is boring, heaven knows what exciting looks like!Michael513-10-2024
- This is not a gravel race. UCI fail, from the surface they are on to team tactics. In what country was the first "gravel race" in what country is the most popular gravel race? Go with the race model that created the discipline.
Barnes127411-10-2024 - And don't forget he has now won 4 of the big 10 races (Grand tours, Monuments and WC/OG) in one year with a chance to make that 5. (5 has only been done once before)Joostmehrtens05-10-2024