Paris-Nice 2021: Tao Geoghegan Hart abandons race after a crash on stage four

The reigning Giro d’Italia champion went down whilst descending on a fast hair-pin bend

Tao Geoghegan Hart in action for Ineos at Paris-Nice (Getty)

Tao Geoghegan Hart has abandoned Paris-Nice 2021 after a crash on stage four. 

The reigning Giro d’Italia champion went down whilst descending on a fast hair-pin bend on the approach to the final climb of the day, injuring his head and his right wrist.

The Ineos Grenadiers rider initially continued but it was later confirmed that he was forced to abandon the race and had been taken to hospital for further assessment.

Jumbo Visma’s Primoz Roglic won the stage and took the overall lead by 12 seconds.

It has been an unlucky turn of events for Ineos Grenadiers, having already lost Australian rider Richie Porte on Sunday’s stage of Paris-Nice after a crash caused by a dropped bottle.   

This is a tough blow to Geoghegan Hart, who is only competing in his second race since winning last year’s Giro. 

Ineos’ new signing and fellow Brit Adam Yates also suffered a heavy crash at the UAE Tour last week which caused facial injuries, but luckily no broken bones.

The general classification hope for Ineos at Paris-Nice now falls to 29th place Dylan Van Baarle or 47th place Laurens de Plus.  

Elsewhere, Jumbo Visma had another victory as Wout van Aert won the first stage of Tirreno-Adriatico after 156km that started and finished in Lido di Camaiore.

Brits Geraint Thomas and Bike Exchange’s Simon Yates will be competing in the week-long race.