“In the middle I didn’t feel really well” - Filippo Ganna still powers to fifth Tirreno-Adriatico stage win with dominant time trial

Filippo Ganna admitted he did not feel at his best midway through the stage, even as he powered to a dominant victory in the opening time trial of Tirreno-Adriatico 2026.

The INEOS Grenadiers rider stormed to the win in the traditional 11.5 kilometre test in Lido di Camaiore, stopping the clock in 12 minutes and 8 seconds to take both the stage and the first leader’s jersey of the race. It marked Ganna’s fifth career stage victory at Tirreno-Adriatico and continued his remarkable record in the race’s opening time trial.

Yet despite the commanding margin, the Italian revealed afterwards that the effort was far from straightforward. “In the middle, I didn’t feel really well, but I continued pushing,” Ganna said after the finish in quotes collected by Cycling Pro Net.

The powerful time trial specialist explained that he relied heavily on the guidance from the team car as he fought through that moment during the ride. “Normally, Aron is in the car behind me, but he was a little bit sick today, so Leonardo was there instead. He did a really good job and supported me really well.”

Ganna’s winning ride was not only decisive but also extremely fast, averaging more than 56 kilometres per hour on the flat coastal route.

Comparisons with last year’s stage immediately highlighted the pace of the performance, with the Italian finishing even quicker than his previous winning ride on the same course. “I think the weather conditions were different,” Ganna explained. “I don’t remember exactly what the wind was like last year, but today on the way back to the finish after the U-turn, it was really, really fast.”

The flat out-and-back course along the Tuscan seafront offered few technical obstacles, making the stage a pure test of power for the peloton’s strongest time trial specialists.

Despite taking the leader’s jersey after stage one, Ganna insisted that he arrived at Tirreno-Adriatico without ambitions of fighting for the overall classification.

Instead, the Italian described the victory as an important confidence boost as he continues to build towards the upcoming Classics. “Yesterday I was only focused on today,” he said. “Tonight I will focus on eating and drinking well and recovering properly.”

“Like I said yesterday, I came here without ambitions for the general classification. I just want to have a good Tirreno and build good feelings for the Classics.”

With the first stage win secured and the leader’s jersey on his shoulders, Ganna will now see how the race develops in the coming days. “This victory and feeling good on the bike is a very good start,” he added. “Now we will see in the next days who could be the leader and what we can do in the race.”