Filippo Ganna skips European Championships amidst concerns over his current form

The 2024 European Championships are quickly approaching. In the time trial, one of the favourites for the win was expected to be the INEOS Grenadiers' Italian powerhouse, Filippo Ganna. Now though, it turns out that will not be the case.

As reported by Ciro Scognamiglio of La Gazzetta dello Sport, the two time time trial world champion will in fact be absent from the 2024 edition of the European Championships. "As we reported today in paper edition Filippo Ganna will skip European Champ (tt and road race) in Belgium (11-15/9), he is not in top shape at this stage," writes Scognamiglio. "Question mark so far for individual tt at Worlds in Zurich, a decision will be taken later this month."

Concerns over Ganna's recent form have been growing within the INEOS Grenadiers of late. "His performances in Germany were already much less than what Filippo is capable of," team manager Zak Dempster told Het Nieuwsblad recently. "He was able to recover well for two days and we let him try again here in Belgium. He did his best, but it is clearly not normal that Filippo had to let go in such a stage."

"It's nothing specific," Dempster added. "He doesn't have any specific symptoms and he doesn't feel ill. It needs to be investigated further to see if he has a specific illness or something. There's just something wrong. We need to stay calm now and draw up a plan to get him back to his level before the end of the season."

Ganna won't be the only big name absentee from the European Championship time trial either. Defending champion Joshua Tarling has been denied the chance to retain his crown by Team GB's choice not to send a team. Time trial world champion Remco Evenepoel will also be skipping the event.