"I think my condition is a little bit less than a year ago": Filippo Ganna rules out GC bid at Tirreno-Adriatico

Filippo Ganna is returning to the Tirreno-Adriatico race with a new plan. Last year, the Italian rider almost won the whole race, but this season, he wants to do things differently. As the big Spring Classics get closer, the Ineos Grenadiers star is trying to build his fitness slowly so he does not get too tired too early.

Last season, Ganna used the opening time trial in Lido di Camaiore to take the leader's jersey. He kept the lead for almost the whole week. He only lost the overall race on the second-to-last day to Juan Ayuso.

A week after that great performance, he had an amazing race at Milan-San Remo. He was the only rider who could stay close to Tadej Pogacar and Mathieu van der Poel. He climbed the famous Poggio at his own speed, caught the two stars on the downhill, and eventually finished second behind Van der Poel in the final sprint.

Even though he did so well last year, the 29-year-old rider wants people to lower their expectations for him this week. During the press conference before the race, he told Sporza that he is not feeling as strong right now. "I think my condition is a little bit less than a year ago," he said.

He explained that this change in his preparation is a smart and safe choice. Last year, he was flying during Tirreno-Adriatico, but it cost him a lot of energy for the important one-day races later in the spring. "Last year I was strong in Tirreno, but maybe a bit less in the Classics," Ganna explained. "Now I try to start those races with fresher legs."

Because of this new strategy, Ganna is not only thinking about the final results. He wants to use the week to get his body ready for the big Classics, which are coming very soon. "I focus first on the time trial [Stage 1]. After that I still have a week to make myself properly tired without blowing my engine."

As a two-time world champion in the time trial, the short 11.5-kilometer course on the beach in Lido di Camaiore is perfect for him. However, he knows that riding a hard stage race can have completely different effects on a rider's body. "You search here for extra percentages," he said. "Sometimes you find them, but sometimes you lose them as well."

Ganna knows exactly what happens when things go wrong in this Italian race. He shared a bad memory from the past to explain why staying healthy is his biggest goal this week. "I remember a very cold edition three years ago when almost everyone became sick. A week later I started Milan-San Remo completely fucked. Hopefully this time we get the good version of Tirreno."

Luckily for the Italian star, he will probably get his wish. The weather forecast for the race between March 9 and March 15 looks great, with sunny spring weather and nice temperatures around 15 degrees Celsius.