27 Jan 2017
Tao fourth at Challenge Mallorca
Related riders
Tao Geoghegan Hart
Tao Geoghegan Hart rode to an impressive fourth place finish at the Trofeo Serra de Tramuntana on the second day of competition in Mallorca.
On wet roads the young Brit pushed onwards over an undulating finale as part of an escape group. While up ahead Tim Wellens (Lotto Soudal) soloed to victory, Geoghegan Hart battled it out over the Coll de sa Batalla, Puig Major and the final ramp up to Deia.
From the same chase group, Louis Vervaeke made it a Lotto Soudal 1-2, while Vicente Garcia de Matos (Spain National Team) rounded out the rostrum places.
Lukasz Wisniowski was also in the mix as the race split, but the Pole was unfortunate to puncture out of the lead group.
Tao himself took up the story of the day, telling TeamSky.com: "The peloton split on the downhill from the Orient climb and Lukasz and I made the front group of about 14 guys. However he was very unlucky to puncture shortly after, when there was no neutral service available yet.
Lukasz Wisniowski was also in the mix as the race split, but the Pole was unfortunate to puncture out of the lead group.
Tao himself took up the story of the day, telling TeamSky.com: "The peloton split on the downhill from the Orient climb and Lukasz and I made the front group of about 14 guys. However he was very unlucky to puncture shortly after, when there was no neutral service available yet.
Tao Geoghegan Hart
It was flat out to the Inca climb. With the guys chasing behind to bring the group back as I was the only rider there.
"There was a lot of attacking and eventually I got away in a group of eight. with two Movistar and two Lotto riders.
"On the last climb I lacked the confidence and waited a little too long when an attack went of two guys. I eventually chased them alone but the gap was too large, one guy versus two, and I came in to the finish in the wet for fourth place.
"I'm disappointed not to be on the podium and contest the win but I will take confidence from this. Thanks to the guys for giving me the chance to attack. I really enjoyed the race and tricky conditions."
"On the last climb I lacked the confidence and waited a little too long when an attack went of two guys. I eventually chased them alone but the gap was too large, one guy versus two, and I came in to the finish in the wet for fourth place.
"I'm disappointed not to be on the podium and contest the win but I will take confidence from this. Thanks to the guys for giving me the chance to attack. I really enjoyed the race and tricky conditions."
Trofeo Serra de Tramuntana top five standings:
1. Tim Wellens (Lotto Soudal) 4:06:42
2. Louis Vervaeke (Lotto Soudal) +24"
3. Vicente Garcia de Mateos (Spain) +29"
4. Tao Geoghegan Hart (Team Sky) +58"
5. Andrey Amador (Movistar) +2:15"
1. Tim Wellens (Lotto Soudal) 4:06:42
2. Louis Vervaeke (Lotto Soudal) +24"
3. Vicente Garcia de Mateos (Spain) +29"
4. Tao Geoghegan Hart (Team Sky) +58"
5. Andrey Amador (Movistar) +2:15"
