"No time to let the guard down" - Filippo Ganna stepping up preparations for Giro d'Italia after 'intense' Tour of the Alps

For the INEOS Grenadiers, a Tour of the Alps that started so promisingly, ended rather flatly as they collapsed from GC contention on a disappointing final two stages.

Italian powerhouse, Filippo Ganna was one of the INEOS Grenadiers riders during the race, and now the dust has settled somewhat, the 27-year-old has reflected on the Tour of the Alps via a post to his official Instagram account.

"The Tour of the Alps just concluded after five intense stages in Italy and Austria," Ganna begins his recap of his performances during the race. "Tough climbs, fast pace and a day alone in the breakaway under wonderful weather, cold and rainy."

As INEOS staff and riders have insisted, the Tour of the Alps was always just about getting some kilometres into the legs of the likes of Ganna, Geraint Thomas, Tobias Foss and the rest of the team, with any results, such as Foss' stage 1 win, just a bonus ahead of the upcoming Giro d'Italia, something Ganna himself is focusing on with more than half an eye.

"No time to let the guard down," the six-time Giro d'Italia stage winner concludes. "Tomorrow, back to work as the Giro d'Italia is getting closer."