Sagan and Geoghegan Hart Talk Giro and The Future!
Peter Sagan: "Compared to the Tour, the Giro is much more fun"
By Alastair Hamilton	 On Dec 2, 2020
Rider Feature: The 2020 Giro d'Italia saw the emergence of young rider Tao Geoghegan Hart and showed, as Peter Sagan said, the 'reports of my demise are greatly exaggerated'. Both riders have been talking about the Italian Grand Tour and their future.
The big victory for a young man and more to come
Peter Sagan made his debut in the Giro d'Italia last season. He did this with an impressive stage victory on the tenth stage. A month before, the leader of BORA-hansgrohe had ridden the Tour de France, without success and without a green jersey. Now that the season is over, the Slovakian rider looks back with TuttoBiciweb.
Too many second places – Giro stage 4
"It was a very strange season, but I was happy to be back in Italy for the Giro d'Italia. And also that I managed to win after many second places. I am satisfied with the program I have ridden," said Sagan. "The Giro was a very nice race. In a normal season it would have been even better. Compared to the Tour de France, where there is more tension, the Giro d'Italia is more fun."
On the attack on stage 10 with GB champion Ben Swift
Sagan feels at home in Italy, the country where he spent the first years of his cycling career, and so he would like to return to the Italian tour. "I hope so, but we have not yet determined the program with the team. One thing is for sure, that riding two Grand Tours in a year like this is really tough. In a "normal" season, however, anything is possible."
Sagan going solo
On the hilly stage ten to Tortoreto, the three time World road champion managed to take his coveted victory, not from a sprint, but solo. "I couldn't wait to win again. It felt like a release and it was a wonderful feeling. It was pay-back for the work and I was very happy with it."
Giro stage 10 win for Sagan
He had previously suffered defeat in the Tour; Sagan lost the battle with Sam Bennett for the green jersey. "The expectations were high, everyone expected that eighth green jersey from me. Unfortunately I can't have everything, but I will definitely try again." He also wants to ride the Olympic road race in Tokyo. "If the Games go on, I'll be there. It's impossible to miss it."
Sagan lost out to Sam Bennett at the Tour
30-year-old Sagan does not want to think about life after his career. "I don't want that thought in my head. It is going well and I still have a lot to offer. I'll think about quitting later. I live from day to day and try to get the most out of it." Yet, Sagan still has a race he wants to add to his palmarès. "It must be said that I have never won Milan-San Remo, so…"
The 'fat lady' hasn't sung yet!
2020 Giro d'Italia winner Tao Geoghegan Hart has also been talking about the future. The British climber surprised himself in Italy, but now looks forward to the future with confidence. "The goal now is to compete in the Grand Tours," he explained to La Gazzetta dello Sport. The INEOS Grenadiers rider is not afraid to raise the bar. "Can I also win the Tour de France and the Vuelta a España? Of course, that is my dream and also the goal for the coming years."
Geoghegan Hart kept his eye on the two Sunweb men – Jai Hindley and Wilco Kelderman
"I hope to be able to race for another ten years and I want to compete every year for the win in the Grand Tours," said a confident Hart. The 25-year-old rider will likely defend his title in the Giro next year, although he remains cautious about his statements. "But I always like to race in Italy. Let's hope that 2021 will be a bit more normal."
Two stage wins wasn't too shabby either
The only question is whether Hart will be given the freedom to target overall victory in one of the Grand Tours, considering the competition within the INEOS Grenadiers team. Geraint Thomas (2018 Tour winner), Richard Carapaz (2019 Giro winner) and Egan Bernal (2019 Tour winner) will also want leadership roles.
His strong TT performance put the young Brit in pink
Hart is not worried: "We will have a few more discussions within the team in the coming weeks. There are so many races that I look forward to. For example, I really like to race in Italy and I will compete in many Italian events next year."
Geoghegan Hart didn't wear pink until the last podium – But that's the one that matters
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Alastair Hamilton
Alastair Hamilton has been a pro team mechanic on the road, track and mountain bike and worked for the Great Britain team at the World championships in all disciplines. Since moving to Spain and finding out how to use a computer, he has gone from contributor of Daily Distractions at the 2002 Vuelta a España to editor at PezCyclingNews.
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