INEOS's Italian talent scowls on World Championship podium: 'I didn’t come here for second place'

A silver medal at the World Championships is nothing to be ashamed of, but Netcompany INEOS had hoped for more. However, Cameron Rogers saw his time trial turn into a disaster due to mechanical trouble, before Milesi fell 7 seconds short of beating the surprisingly fast Ryan Gal. Other top favorites also fell short.

While Gal and third-place finisher Héctor Álvarez (Lidl-Trek) stood on the podium with smiles on their faces, a sullen Italian stood next to them in second place. “I went for the maximum today: the rainbow jersey. I didn’t come here for second place, so I’ll just have to be satisfied with that,” he said in the mixed zone afterward.

"I think I took the turns well and was fast on the straights. I was able to maintain a good pace on the flat, which is also my strong suit," said Milesi, analysing what was actually an excellent time trial. Only one rider was faster. “I finished strong and still had power left at the end. We’ll have to see where I lost time.”

At Netcompany INEOS—and, in Milesi’s case, the development team—the Italian says he’s in “the best spot for the time trial.” “With Filippo Ganna—I see him as my role model. He didn’t really give me any advice, but we did scout the course together, and I think I had everything figured out for today.”

Speaking to Tutto Bici, he said succinctly about Gal: “I really hadn’t expected him to win.”