'It's like having someone like van der Poel or Van Aert' - Can Filippo Ganna be Lidl-Trek's golden ticket?
Cycling
Filippo Ganna had an ongoing contract with Netcompany INEOS, but with a swift and decisive move, Lidl-Trek have signed the Italian time trialist with a three-year deal. A rider capable of winning big but also serving as a domestique, Ganna could prove to be essential for the team's ambition of taking the next step in the classics.
Ganna is a time trialist at heart, but a rider with plenty experience as a classics specialist - a winner at Dwars door Vlaanderen this year; a track specialist with multiple medals and the ongoing Hour Record; but also lots of time spent as a domestique and leadout man.
His connection with Lidl-Trek was very clear: Jonathan Milan and Simone Consonni. The duo have welcomed their compatriot and track teammate, a trio that might form the World Tour's most effective leadout train in 2027.
“Ganna is the kind of athlete who can shift the balance within a team," Consonni said in an interview with Bici.Pro. "He’s highly effective across a wide range of events, from time trials to the Classics, and even in leadouts".
Filippo Ganna is joining Lidl-Trek in 2027
Filippo Ganna, the ultimate all-rounder
Consonni has praised the transfer, which can be decisive when it comes to the team's success on the cobbled classics - where he will join Mads Pedersen; and the team's sprinting ambitions, as he should link up with Jonathan Milan.
Aside from that, he provides the German team with another major card to win time trials. “We’ve seen what he’s capable of; he’s proven he can perform well in the Classics. He’s a phenomenon, it's like having someone like Van der Poel, Stuyven, or Van Aert acting as a lead-out man for the sprinters.”
As important as delivering the results himself, Consonni is certain the transfer fits Lidl-Trek as Ganna has shown to be very willing of helping the team's other leaders - GC riders included, as he could also take up road captain roles throughout the year.
“You know that these are world-class talents lending their skills to a common goal, and the same applies to Ganna. He’s a generous rider who will be a huge help to Milan and Pedersen.”
Can Ganna take the next step with Lidl-Trek?
But regarding his individual ambitions, Ganna may also evolve in the time trial. Technology wise, Lidl-Trek have done spectacularly over the past few years, with several top-tier specialists and Grand Tour specialists delivering on a consistent basis.
Consonni argued that Ganna needed a change, and might be what he requires in order to be able to compete with Remco Evenepoel once again:
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“At this age, a change like this can help you find a new spark, something fresh. Even just regarding time trials, he’ll be able to approach his rivalry with Evenepoel from a different perspective".
A team whose budget has increased dramatically over the past few years, it has the room to bring out the best of its riders.
“For my part, I can say that Lidl-Trek is investing heavily in research, development, and new technical solutions. I believe, in fact, I’m convinced that this is the right team for him.”
Rúben SilvaEditor-in-Chief
A founding contributor to CyclingUpToDate since its launch in January 2022, Ruben Silva has played a central role in shaping the site’s editorial direction and long-term growth. Before joining the project, he built his experience through independent blogging at Echelons Hub and by producing race previews for Ciclismo Internacional, developing a strong analytical voice rooted in daily engagement with professional cycling.
Beyond editorial work, he has been closely involved in the expansion and coordination of CyclingUpToDate’s wider network, helping establish and support sister platforms across multiple languages. This includes ongoing collaboration with CiclismoAlDia (Spanish), CiclismoAtual (Portuguese), WielrennenUpToDate (Dutch), and RadsportAktuell (German), contributing to a shared editorial vision and consistent international coverage.
He also helps oversee editorial governance across the network, setting standards for accuracy and consistency and coordinating updates or corrections when needed.
Originally from the Porto metropolitan area in Portugal, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography. His path into cycling journalism was shaped not through formal media training, but through independent reporting, community engagement, and sustained on-the-ground involvement in the sport.
Over the course of his career, he has conducted approximately 100 interviews across road cycling and cyclocross, ranging from one-to-one conversations and online formats to press conferences and on-site pre- and post-race coverage. His interviews include leading riders, team managers, and prominent figures within cycling media: Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, Mathieu van der Poel, Primoz Roglic, Wout van Aert, Joao Almeida and Tom Pidcock; managers like Patrick Lefevere and Joxean Matxin; and YouTube personality Bryan Kennedy (BKXC)...
Within 18 months of launch, he helped grow CyclingUpToDate’s English-language platform into one of the most-read cycling news websites, built entirely from the ground up. As both a professional journalist and lifelong cycling enthusiast, his focus remains on delivering accurate, timely, and well-contextualized coverage.
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- In my opinion, I'd like to give him a few races to get his 'legs'. This is the end of the season and an ideal time for him to get some valuable racing time for next year. Also, here's another rider coming back from devastating injury. Also, how much sprinting time will he get with Brennan as their main sprinter?Paggss29-10-2026
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Rafionain-Glas29-10-2026 - it puts food on the table - I don’t see it as arrogant, but it is my opinion. and if that is his food budget, good for him. they are using his image to make money of which he is not profiting. whatever that is worth is money due to him, and if he wants to spend it on food, great. of course he isn’t. it is a play on words.mij29-10-2026
- Fantastic news!anonymouscyclist29-10-2026
- Why not 11 then?Rafionain-Glas29-10-2026
- Crikey... Zonneveld in charge of a team... never knew that was possible. You learn new things every dayRafionain-Glas29-10-2026
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