"G said it wouldn't hurt to ride another stage at full speed" - Filippo Ganna shows more convincing remarks of his top form ahead of Milano-Sanremo

Filippo Ganna didn't cross the line with the group of favourites in fifth stage of Tirreno-Adriatico, yet he retains his leader's jersey. That's because a mechanical stopped the Italian within the 3-kilometer "safe zone". Else he may have been in the mix for stage victory again. That's how good his legs seem to be with view to the first Monument of this season.

"I rode into a hole," Ganna told his story at the press conference afterwards. "My chain got stuck on the frame. I pedalled really hard once, which broke my rear derailleur. Luckily I was able to stay with the group until the last three kilometres. I had already called the jury to see the incident. I also called the team car when the peloton passed me. So the mechanical problem was clear."

Ganna's form seems to be good, as the Italian has already shown himself to be attacking several times during this Tirreno. According to him, this is not a coincidence. "We have worked hard during the winter to be at this level now." Good legs, and that a week before Milano-Sanremo. It bodes well for the Italian. "I hope to be able to continue this for at least a week," the speedster looks ahead to La Primavera next Saturday.

So far, the cold Tirreno-Adriatico seems to have been able to warm up the Italian. "I came here to do well in the time trial, in stage three and in stage four. We've been very present with the team so far," said a satisfied Ganna, who called INEOS Grenadiers teammate Geraint Thomas for advice before the stage. "He said that with my current form it wouldn't hurt to ride another stage at full speed, and also that a week's rest after this wouldn't make me any worse in form."

With a convincing time trial, Ganna conquered the blue leader's jersey on Monday, which means he has now led the general classification for four stages. On Saturday, the queen stage to Frontignano awaits, which makes it seem like a difficult task for Ganna to retain the leader's jersey on paper.

The Italian does not seem to be thinking about that scenario. "I would like to thank the team for allowing us to take the leader's jersey this far," the Italian concluded his press conference.