“The difference is not only in the legs, but in the head” – Filippo Ganna feels better than ever as Italian targets landmark Classics wins in 2026

For most of his career, Filippo Ganna has been defined by raw power. World titles against the clock, Olympic gold on the track, and an engine capable of sustaining numbers few in the peloton can touch have long marked him out as one of cycling’s most formidable specialists. Heading into 2026, however, the Italian is framing his ambitions slightly differently.

“The difference is not only in the legs, but in the head. Emotional balance and mental strength are key to managing pressure, fatigue and the difficult moments of the season,” Ganna said in comments reported by Marca.

It is a revealing emphasis from a rider whose 2025 season offered as many signs of evolution as it did frustration. Podium finishes at Milano-Sanremo and deep Classics runs confirmed his growing comfort in long, selective one-day races, while his abandonment at the Tour de France after an early crash deprived him of the time trial opportunities that had been a clear target.

The foundations were there, but the season never quite allowed everything to click at once.

That balance between ambition and sustainability now sits at the centre of Ganna’s approach. His stated aim for the year ahead is not to pick and choose moments, but to be present throughout the entire campaign. “My goal is to race everything this year and be a protagonist throughout the season,” he said, outlining a desire to remain competitive from the first Classics through to the Grand Tours.

It is a shift that reflects how his role within INEOS Grenadiers has broadened. No longer viewed solely as a time trial weapon, Ganna has increasingly been encouraged to express himself in races where positioning, resilience and repeatability matter as much as pure wattage. His return to Milan-San Remo in particular carries obvious significance after coming so close to victory there.

With that in mind, his ambition for 2026 is explicit. “This season I am going to fight to be first,” he said, pointing not only to the Italian Monument but also to a calendar that includes the Giro d'Italia and the Tour de France once again.

Underlying those goals is a strong emphasis on preparation away from racing. Ganna has spent the winter training in Gran Canaria, a location he describes as ideal for maintaining both physical condition and mental clarity during the colder months. “Finding space to combine training, recovery and relaxation is essential,” he explained, adding that a strong mental state allows him to avoid the performance swings that can derail long seasons.

That focus also extends beyond 2026. While Los Angeles 2028 remains a reference point, Ganna has already spoken about his desire to continue competing long enough to reach the Brisbane Olympic Games. “My dream is to reach the Brisbane Olympic Games, but to get there the mind is fundamental, which is more important than having strong legs,” he said.

For a rider whose career has been built on overwhelming physical capacity, the message is clear. As Ganna moves deeper into his prime, the margins he is chasing are no longer found only in the numbers on his power meter. They lie in consistency, resilience, and the ability to turn near misses into defining victories when it matters most.