"I was sad to see him go" - Geraint Thomas explains why INEOS allowed Filippo Ganna to join Lidl-Trek in surprise transfer move
Cycling
Geraint Thomas and Netcompany INEOS have seen perhaps their highest-profile rider leave the team in Filippo Ganna's transfer move to Lidl-Trek this month.
In a surprise transfer market splash, the Italian time trial and classics specialist made the jump to Lidl-Trek - joining the team despite having one year on his INEOS contract.
One of the team's main leaders, the 30-year-old's new three-year contract ensures he'll ride out what could be his last major contract with the team, leaving behind a massive hole in the British team in his wake.
The move raised eyebrows considering Ganna's remaining contract as well as the strength of Lidl-Trek before his transfer - which also features classics leaders such as Mads Pedersen and Jonathan Milan.
Filippo Ganna at the 2026 Tour de France
"I was sad to see him go"
First and foremost, Director of Racing Thomas was sad to see his former teammate leave the team after eight seasons and several major races ridden together before Thomas's retirement at the end of the 2025 season.
Speaking on the latest episode of the Watts Occurring podcast, Thomas said: "I was sad to see him go. A great guy and sad to see him go.
“Money's not a bottomless pit anymore."
Implying that financial constraints were among the reasons for Ganna's departure, Thomas noted that the team don't boast the same financial power in the sport as they did before - making meeting the demands of a rider of Ganna's calibre difficult.
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Ganna's departure and Tarling's rise
However, the emergence of Josh Tarling - a rider of similar profile in the time trial - means that the blow of losing Ganna is somewhat softened. Noting that the team couldn't afford to keep both, they couldn't stand in the way of Ganna's move despite his contract until 2027.
“Josh is obviously a lot younger and kinda going into that road captain role as well. Both are great time trialists. Both have strengths and weaknesses, very similar.
He added: “Can you afford to keep them both in the team? Ultimately, no.”
22-year-old Tarling has already amassed nine wins in his short career, and is contracted until the end of the 2027 season. With starts in all three Grand Tours, the biggest win of his career came last season at the Giro d'Italia.
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
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