TAO GEOGHEGAN-HART WINS THE GIRO D’ITALIA FOR THE INEOS GRENADIERS

In a victory hailed as ‘the stuff of dreams’ by Team Principal Dave Brailsford, the 25-year-old became the fourth Brit to win a Grand Tour for the team.

Geoghegan-Hart was originally in the team to support Geraint Thomas’ quest for the title. But after Thomas crashed out on the third stage, the young Londoner rose to the challenge. His victory made headline news across the world, showcasing the team’s signature passion and grit.

Brailsford took particular pride in the way the team bounced back from the disappointment of Thomas’ withdrawal:

"What I really, really liked about this was the way that everybody rode. Obviously it was devastating when Geraint crashed out. But we thought, let’s get out there and race. And that’s what they’ve done and they’ve just smashed it."

That spirit of rugged determination is shared with the Grenadier. An early prototype served as a support vehicle for the team: carrying bikes, essential kit and supplies. The INEOS Grenadiers relied on the vehicle during every stage of the race, and it became a key member of the team.

It became something of a lucky charm too. According to Tao, spotting the vehicle around the course gave riders a daily lift as they suffered through the gruelling stages.