First Pro win for Tao Geoghegan Hart in Alps

Tao Geoghegan Hart claimed his first professional victory in style winning a group sprint on stage 1 of the Tour of Alps

First Pro win for Tao Geoghegan Hart in Alps

Tao Geoghegan Hart claimed his first professional victory in style to finish off a strong team performance on the opening day in Austria. The young Brit was led into the final metres by Pavel Sivakov before opening up an early sprint, taking the ideal line into the narrow finishing straight and holding on for a popular win.

Also claiming the race lead in the process, Geoghegan Hart’s win finished off an attacking performance from the team. Tao and Sivakov had been alert to a dangerous attack from Vincenzo Nibali (Bahrain Merida) on the final time over the Hinterthiersee climb. Combining in a quartet which also included Rafal Majka (Bora-Hansgrohe), the group opened out a slender gap, before the race came back together on the final descent.

With Kenny Elissonde covering moves and Sivakov delivering a final burst on the front, it was Geoghegan Hart who seized the moment in Kufstein. Chris Froome had been able to sit in the chasing back behind the initial attack and was well placed in sixth across the line. In the closing stages both Leonardo Basso and Salvatore Puccio ensured the pace was high, setting up a thrilling finish.

Tao Geoghegan Hart: “It was a beautiful day and a beautiful parcours. I’m really happy to take my first professional win here in Austria. It was a headwind over the top of the climb which was a shame but it was really close the finish, but also with some riding to go over the plateau before the final kilometres. It was kind of a mix between committing with having two guys at the front and also always thinking about the finish.

“I think we have a strong team here, we showed that with four guys across the line at the finish in the front group. We have Froomey here, he’s one of the biggest riders in the world so we support him as much as we can. We have some nice cards to play in the next couple of days and I’m looking forward to this Tour of the Alps.”

1. Tao Geoghegan Hart Team Sky 3:30:48
2. Alex Aranburu Caja Rural – Seguros RGA
3. Roland Thalmann Team Vorarlberg Santic

6. Chris Froome Team Sky
8. Rafal Majka Bora – Hansgrohe
17. Vincenzo Nibali Bahrain – Merida