‘It's worth a shot' - Will Barta to take aim at top result Giro d'Italia TT in break from GC support duties

American Will Barta of Tudor Pro Cycling has confirmed his intention to target a strong individual time trial result at the upcoming Giro d'Italia. Despite his primary role being a domestique for team leaders Michael Storer and Mathys Rondel, Barta sees the Giro's two time trial stages as a valuable opportunity for personal ambition. This strategic shift allows the 28-year-old to pursue a top placing in a discipline where he has previously demonstrated considerable talent.

This move is particularly interesting given Barta's career trajectory. A former silver medalist at the U23 World Championships TT, he's often been a workhorse, notably with Movistar and now Tudor, sacrificing individual glory for team objectives. For a ProTeam like Tudor, securing a stage result or a high TT placing offers significant exposure and UCI points, even if it means momentarily diverting from GC support. It’s a calculated risk, balancing team loyalty with the pursuit of a tangible individual achievement.

Ultimately, Barta's decision reflects the perennial tension between domestique duties and personal aspiration. A top-10 TT result would be a well-deserved, if brief, moment in the sun for a rider usually toiling in the shadows.