Filippo Ganna ready for Mathieu van der Poel rematch at E3 Saxo Classic: "For sure today will be a good test of effort"

Just one week after his impressive ride at Milano-Sanremo, Filippo Ganna is back in action today at the E3 Saxo Bank Classic. Speaking to Cycling Pro Net ahead of the race, the Italian star acknowledged that the previous weekend had taken a toll on his legs.

"Yes I was a little tired, I'm telling the truth," Ganna admitted when asked about how he had balanced recovery and preparation over the last seven days. "But in the end we managed to come back here to Belgium after a few years. Always nice to see the atmosphere of Belgium, the welcoming public."

Having not raced on the Belgian cobbles in recent years, the INEOS Grenadiers rider is relishing the opportunity to be back in one of cycling’s heartlands. The E3 Classic is known as a key dress rehearsal for the Tour of Flanders and a serious test of form and durability on the cobbled climbs of Flanders.

"Come on, let's hope it can be a good day and tonight we'll see who will cross the finish line first," Ganna said optimistically.

Asked about who might shape the day’s action (particularly the influence of Mathieu van der Poel, who is fresh off his Milano-Sanremo victory) Ganna offered a measured response.

"I think that in any case the race is tough and the riders will do it tough, so let's see what can happen," he said. "For sure today will be a good test of effort."