Filippo Ganna wants to take Giro tally to ten and needs three more stage wins to do it

Filippo Ganna starts Tuesday’s time trial at the Giro d’Italia as the absolute top favourite. The powerful Italian of Netcompany INEOS has not been seen all that much at the front of this Giro so far, but he told La Gazzetta dello Sport that his part of the race is still to come. Ganna would like to win three more stages, which would take his Giro d’Italia career total to ten.

Until now, Ganna has mainly been working in support of Thymen Arensman and Egan Bernal. That, it turns out, was a deliberate choice. “I knew that in the early part of the race I wouldn’t find terrain that suited me too well,” said Ganna, who immediately gets a major opportunity after the second rest day in the 42-kilometre time trial from Viareggio.

“I knew I had to get to this time trial, my first big goal. It is very fast, on roads I know well and where I have already celebrated several times in Tirreno-Adriatico. The winner’s average speed will be high. After that, I’ll also go hunting for a victory in a road stage,” the Italian added.

Friday’s stage finishes in his hometown of Verbania, but Ganna wants more than just one more victory in this Giro. “I’m aiming for three wins and I want to reach ten,” he said ambitiously of his Giro total. “I’ve been thinking about this for a while. I don’t know if I’ll manage it, but rest assured: I’m going to try. Friday is obviously my day, with the finish in Verbania, practically at home.”

So Ganna is certainly not worried about where he stands physically. “When I went in the break with Bettiol on Saturday, my numbers were very good. And on the day of the heavy rain towards Potenza, I rode my best hour ever. Of course, I no longer weigh what I did in 2020 or 2021. I’m carrying 87 kilos around with me, which is... not easy to manage on the climbs. But I carry them with pride,” the Italian laughed.