“In the middle I didn’t feel really well” - Filippo Ganna still powers to fifth Tirreno-Adriatico stage win with dominant time trial
Cycling
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.”
Weather conditions helped create a fast time trial
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.
Ganna focused on stage win rather than overall ambitions
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.”
Kieran WoodDeputy Editor-in-Chief
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He regularly contributes to DartsNews.com and CyclingUpToDate.com, where he covers professional cycling and darts. In cycling, his work includes liveblogs from major races, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, alongside race reports and analysis. He has also conducted interviews with professional riders.
His reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis. For statistics, results, and historical context, he regularly uses resources such as ProCyclingStats. To support reporting on rider activity and training context where relevant, he also references Strava.
In his work, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.
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- So gracious to offer something no-one would be prepared to pay for. The Giro is not the Tour and doesn’t command the same interest or attract the same “elite” (those willing to pay to be a part of something they consider has ego boosting potential). Roadside viewing will always largely remain free for everyone outside circuits. Introduction of a symbolic entrance to mountain climbs is worthy of exploration. Asking 1-2€ isn’t going to repulse real fans (most will spend 50-100€ on their outing that day all things included) but will prevent a portion of the total knobhead thrillseekers who will join in any large gathering as long as it’s free, just because they’re attracted to crowds, without which it it difficult for them to work up their anti-social behaviour.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- How is radio going to help when someone went over a cliff or bridge or off the roadside into a forest unnoticed and is laying there unconscious?Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Yep, next we’ll be accusing F1 drivers of avoiding Le Mans.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- But on what is that opinion based? Are you holding him to a different standard than others? Are you saying he should do learn to like something he doesn’t Are you saying he hasn’t achieved enough Are you saying he pretends to be better than his results? It’s actually a really strange opinion to oust if you consider it objectively or rationally. Try applying it to others or yourself by asking if not EVERYONE should then be doing more? Nobody in athletics or swimming gets criticism for not expanding their repertoire when a rival or someone else does. In fact, most who move to another event get accused of running from their rival. Opinions are boring, the reasons behind them are what count.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- for a medical chief to throw things like is just bad. There are already radios which were banned for spectacle. allow radios. Gps trackers are not a complete solutionabstractengineer07-11-2026
- Yeah man...PogiSloFans07-11-2026
- any rider less than 25 whether they are really ready for the position of leadership of GT is probably not the case. I think Pogi himself suffered when he was defeated by Jonas in the TDF twice. But that would be the team's job to ensure support so that they can bounce back. It requires a team and time to get back up and win after getting knocked down.abstractengineer07-11-2026
- I'm very glad he got the big late Quickstep Vuelta win and I hope he has a few left for Euskaltel-Euskadi.flyer07-11-2026
- My memories of Ivan Basso aren't good but I liked his sister Elisa ok.flyer07-11-2026
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