“From today starts another Giro for Filippo” - Filippo Ganna turns focus to road stages after dominant Giro d’Italia time trial win

Filippo Ganna did not spend long celebrating the Giro d’Italia time trial victory that always looked made for him. After crushing Stage 10 from Viareggio to Massa, the Italian champion immediately opened the door to a different target in the second half of the race: a road stage win.

The Netcompany INEOS rider dominated the 42km individual time trial, stopping the clock in 45:53 at an average speed of 54.9kph. His teammate Thymen Arensman completed a one-two for the team, finishing second at 1:54, while Remi Cavagna took third at 1:59.

For Ganna, it was a statement ride on the one day in this Giro built perfectly around his strengths.

For Netcompany INEOS, it was even bigger. Arensman’s performance lifted him from sixth to third overall, turning the stage into both a dominant specialist victory and a major GC breakthrough.

Ganna’s post-stage reaction quickly shifted beyond his own result. Speaking after the finish, he pointed to the team’s preparation and to Arensman’s ride in the battle for the general classification. “I think we did an amazing job this winter - especially with our GC riders like Thymen Arensman,” Ganna said.

That work was visible on two fronts in Massa. Ganna was untouchable in the fight for the stage, while Arensman produced the strongest ride among the GC contenders and put himself firmly into the podium picture. “It was a great team job so we can enjoy tonight a little bit while remaining our focus for the last 10 days,” Ganna added.

The route gave Ganna the sort of test he had been waiting for. This was the only individual time trial of the race, but at 42km and without a major climb, it gave him enough road to turn power and pacing into a decisive advantage. “I really like long TTs like this,” he said. “I’m really happy to finally find a good TT like this for me - one without a climb.”

The most striking part of Ganna’s reaction came when he looked beyond the victory. Stage 10 was his clearest opportunity on paper, but he made it clear that his Giro is not finished with the time trial now behind him. “From today starts another Giro for Filippo,” he said.

That line gives his race a fresh direction. Ganna has delivered the result expected of him against the clock. Now he wants to manage the coming days carefully and search for a second victory in a very different kind of stage. “I now try to conserve my energy and then to win a road stage - perhaps on Friday,” Ganna concluded.

It leaves Ganna with a new mission at a Giro that has already given him his biggest target. The time trial was the obvious chance and he took it emphatically. The next one will need to be created on the road.