"This year I need to figure out how to handle the hill" - Filippo Ganna plays down chances of Milano-Sanremo victory

With INEOS Grenadiers' big hope for this Classics season, Tom Pidcock, missing out on Milano-Sanremo due to a concussion, Filippo Ganna could well be the man to watch for the British based team.

Ganna himself however is keeping his cards close to his chests in regards to his chances of victory. "For this year I need to figure out how to handle the hill and the descent. Until now I could never compete with the best," he admits when speaking to Gazzetta della Sport. "We need to see how the course plays out on the climbs. Everything depends on how you get to the top and winning is also a matter of luck."

One thing for sure is that although he may not be publicly stating his belief that he can win, it's clear Ganna is afraid of no one. "There are champions and people like me who have to work harder," says Ganna. "I keep calm about it because we all have two legs and two arms."

"If you fall behind on the Cipressa, it becomes very difficult. You have to make a double effort and cannot recover from it," Ganna says of his previous experiences. "The beauty of Milano-Sanremo is in the attacks and the groups that fall apart. You may return to position, but find a helper in your path that makes attacks impossible. For me, I first have to get up on the Cipressa and Poggio and only then find out whether I can attack right away or not. Going to attack first is difficult."