Tao Geoghegan Hart's performance and victory in the Tour of the Alps have earned him a spot as a contender for the Giro d'Italia. The management of Ineos Grenadiers is confident that the ambition of this London-born athlete and that of designated leader Geraint Thomas will help the team take on Remco Evenpole (Sudar-Quick Step) and Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma) in Italy next month. I am confident that this will help the team to take on Remko Evenpole (Sudar-Quick Step) and Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma) in Italy next month.

"We are happy about these issues," Ineos' directeur sportif Matteo Tosatto told Cycling News.

"It doesn't change anything for the team. It's good that Tao is in good shape."

"We knew he was in good shape because of his good winter and spring results. In contrast, Gelant was out of shape, but he is getting better every day."

"Everyone is talking about Lemko and Rogic, but I think we will do well in the Giro. With the team we have now, I think we can do well."

Tosat is responsible for Ineos Grenadier, which won the Tour of the Alps, and will be the general sport director for the Giro d'Italia. He is already hard at work on pre-race preparations and route reconnaissance and will visit the final stage of the Corsa Rosa in a few days.

Tosatto will ride the Dolomites to study the final mountain time trial to Monte Russari, and will probably decide on the final eight riders and reserves for the Giro d'Italia when they cross into Friuli.

Elia Viviani has announced that he will not be joining the team, as he is more concerned with overall success than stage victories. The lineup is expected to include all or most of the seven Tour de Alps winners, plus Filippo Ganna and possibly Luke Rowe.

"We have a big decision to make, but in my mind the team is super clear," Tosat said. 'Now we need to improve even more for the Giro.'

Thomas and Geoghegan Hart will certainly be protected, Pavel Sivakov and Tymeng Arensmann will be important support, and Salvatore Puccio, Ben Swift, and Lawrence de Plus could provide important muscle and support.

Tosat believes in the team philosophy of legendary Italian soccer coach Arrigo Sacchi that a united team is always stronger than a talented but isolated individual. He hopes that the combined strength of the Ineos Grenadiers will somehow beat Evenpoel and Roglic.

"The strength of our team will be more than an advantage. Our guys are mature, ready and hungry. They are honest with me and with each other until the end of the race, and that is the most important thing I ask of them"

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"I start the Giro with guys who have won the Tour and won the Giro. We certainly have an advantage over the other teams. We know how to win a Grand Tour."

"The final week will be decisive in every sense. We want to send as many riders as possible to GC so that whoever is the race leader can challenge."

Thomas and Geoghegan Hart have known since the Ineos Grenadiers training camp in the winter that the Giro would be their goal. Tosat has since monitored their progress, well aware of Thomas' repeated illnesses and changes in the race program.

"The goal is to go into the final week of the Giro in better conditions than last year's Tour de France. I think that's possible. He's fresh and in good shape. He's not in top condition yet, but he still has time to regain the form he's missing. I have great confidence in G."

"Geraint has grown a lot during the Tour of the Alps and has provided great support to Tao, not only during the race but also on the team bus and on the team radio. Gelant is a leader.

Tosat put pressure on Geoghegan Hart by naming him the leader of the Ineos Grenadiers of the Tour of the Alps, but we are happy that he stepped up, won two stages, and defended the leader's jersey with the unwavering support of his teammates! I am very happy for him.

Tosat and Geoghan Hart hit it off perfectly, and while they may not yet understand each other, they have a mutual respect for each other.

"I think the most important thing for Tao after two tough years is continuity," Tosat suggested.

"He changed coaches and is very happy. Last year he had the misfortune of crashing while in a good GC position at the Vuelta and then suffering mechanical problems in the last 10km of Il Lombardia, which prevented him from finishing in the top five. This year, however, he has had no major crashes or illnesses and is happy with his teammates.

"It's important for him to be in a good state of mind," he said.