"Get the engine going again after Flanders" - Filippo Ganna ready for Paris-Roubaix after recon

INEOS Grenadiers have been having a good season so far and part of the reason why is Filippo Ganna's spring. The Italian has thrived in Tirreno-Adriatico, Milano-Sanremo and the Flandrien classics; and now he finishes his campaign at Paris-Roubaix where he will be an interesting contender for victory.

Like all of the big figures into this Sunday's race, Ganna was riding through the cobbled roads of northern France over the past few days to remind himself of what he will race through on Sunday, and learn more thoroughly the best lines through the difficult sectors.

"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".

INEOS Grenadiers for Paris-Roubaix: