"It was important to refresh my memory. In Belgium you always race on the same roads: the composition is just different depending on the race, but here that is actually only once a year," Ganna said in words to L'Équipe. Last year he did not participate, but in 2023 he rode to a strong sixth place which confirmed his potential to battle for a podium or even win. After what he's shown over the past month, the win is possible.
"It was quite tough. I immediately remembered what the cobblestones of Roubaix looked like: always the same washing machine. It is mainly the arms that hurt because of the vibrations, because this is a part of the body that we generally do not use that much. But the legs are fine".
Ganna will be supported by an exciting team which also includes
Joshua Tarling, a rider that could be very dangerous for the flat race; and a mix of talent and experience with the Swift cousins,
Ben Turner and
Samuel Watson in the mix. INEOS coach Dajo Sanders is also optimistic after the recon ride: "It was a training to get the engine going again after Flanders. With some intensity, but the intention was not to let the engine run empty".