Tao Geoghegan Hart (Lidl-Trek) will miss the 2024 Tour de France in what was on account of be his first look with Lidl-Trek in a management function.
The American squad introduced the information on Friday morning, days after Geoghegan Hart revealed he had been affected by COVID-19 after returning dwelling to Andorra from the Critérium du Dauphiné.
Lidl-Trek additionally confirmed that the previous Giro d’Italia winner had suffered a fractured rib on the Dauphiné after being hit from behind within the mass stage 5 crash.
“News we want we did not need to share. Unfortunately, Tao Geoghegan Hart will miss this yr’s Tour de France,” learn a statement from Lidl-Trek.
“The Brit has been sidelined for longer than initially anticipated after the Critérium du Dauphiné on account of sickness and accidents sustained, together with a fractured rib, within the crash on Stage 5.
“Wishing Tao all the most effective for restoration. The Team can’t wait to see him again racing at 100 per cent as quickly as he’s prepared.”
Geoghegan Hart joined Lidl-Trek from Ineos Grenadiers on the finish of final season and was introduced on to spearhead their stage race hopes as they tried to turn into one in all biking’s tremendous groups.
It had been a season of constructing again as much as type as he recovered from a fancy fractured femur, suffered ultimately yr’s Giro d’Italia when he appeared to be at career-best type.
His type had confirmed indicators of enchancment in 2024, with ninth at April’s Tour de Romandie a excessive level. But the Dauphiné crash and sickness have derailed any likelihood of a second look on the Tour.
Geoghegan Hart was introduced on the finish of 2023 as one in all their leaders alongside versatile sprinter and Classics star Mads Pedersen.
The Danish sprinter will now turn into the group’s key focus alongside Giulio Ciccone if the Italian can return to full health after additionally struggling with flu final week.
Lidl-Trek are but to announce their full group for the 2024 Tour de France.
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