Geraint Thomas gives a surprising reason for INEOS letting Ganna go: 'I wish him the best of luck at Lidl-Trek'
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Follow us on GoogleFilippo Ganna’s departure from Netcompany INEOS came as a surprise to many. The Italian had been loyal to the British team for years and seemed completely at home there. Was the transfer to Lidl-Trek his decision, or did it come from his employer? Geraint Thomas explains the time trialist’s departure and sheds light on several aspects of the matter.
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After 2018, Ganna made the switch from UAE Team Emirates to Team INEOS, and has been an indispensable part of the team ever since.
Ganna on his beloved time-trial bike.
Ganna brought INEOS plenty of silverware
He became a two-time world time trial champion, won eight stages in the Giro d'Italia, and claimed no fewer than 41 victories during his eight years with the British team. However, after yet another successful year, he decided to leave for Lidl-Trek.
Thomas was first a teammate of the Italian, and later served as Head of Racing. “From a purely personal perspective, it was really sad to see him leave; he was a good friend,” the Welshman says on his podcast, Watts Occurring.
“He’d also been with the team for six or seven years and was often on my team during the Grand Tours. We rode together a lot, and it was a shame to see him go.”
Could Netcompany INEOS have kept Ganna?
Or was room made for him at Netcompany INEOS? It seems to have been the latter. Thomas cites Josh Tarling’s presence as one of the reasons.
“We had to make decisions on our end. You have Josh and Pipo on the same team, and that costs a lot of money. And there’s no longer an endless supply of money—and there never was.”
Read more below the photo!
Tarling will have more responsibilities at Netcompany INEOS following Ganna's departure.
No room for both Tarling and Ganna at Netcompany INEOS
When Lidl-Trek expressed interest, the decision from the Netcompany INEOS camp was pretty straightforward. Ganna was given the opportunity to take on a new challenge.
“If this is going to be his last major contract, then you don’t want to stand in his way. You also don’t know what would happen if he had served out his contract next year,” said Thomas.
So Tarling is actually getting a bit of a promotion on the British team. “Josh is a lot younger, and he’s gradually stepping into the role of road captain,” his compatriot explains.
“They’re both time trial specialists; they have similar strengths and weaknesses. Can you afford to keep both of them on the team? Ultimately, no. I wish him the best of luck at Lidl-Trek.”
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David Bavin-HobbsChief Editor
David has been working in the sports & cycling industry for 16 years. Covering racing, business and technology, he has worked in communications for cycling companies, teams, and as a journalist. His proudest achievement is winning the first bike race he ever entered. He hasn't won a race since.
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