Filippo Ganna eyes home stage to Verbania to prove he is more than just a time trialist

Filippo Ganna is setting his sights on a significant victory on home soil during stage 13 of the Giro d’Italia, which finishes in Verbania. Known primarily for his dominance in time trials, Ganna aims to demonstrate his versatility by winning a road race stage on familiar terrain. Although he has secured eight Giro stage wins—seven of which were time trials—his sole road stage triumph came in 2020, when he attacked in challenging weather conditions to claim victory in Camigliatello Silano. This upcoming stage represents an opportunity for Ganna to reinforce his credentials as a well-rounded rider beyond his time-trialling prowess. The stage to Verbania features a predominantly flat profile with a late climb of 4.7 kilometres up Ungiasca, followed by a descent to the lakeside finish. Ganna has acknowledged that success may depend on getting into a breakaway and maintaining a gap from the peloton, which is likely to protect general classification contenders such as Thymen Arensman. Despite these challenges, Ganna remains optimistic about his chances, emphasising that when given the green light, he will seize the opportunity to attack and play his strategic cards. His recent performance, including a win at Dwars door Vlaanderen and strong showings in Milan-San Remo, underline his growing confidence on the road. Beyond the Giro, Ganna’s ambitions extend to the UCI Road World Championships in Montréal later this year, where he aims to reclaim the time trial rainbow jersey. Facing stiff competition from Remco Evenepoel, a three-time world champion and Olympic gold medallist, Ganna is preparing meticulously, including aerodynamic optimisation through wind tunnel work. Netcompany Ineos director Geraint Thomas has expressed strong belief in Ganna’s potential to triumph, highlighting the Italian’s motivation and physical condition as key factors that could tilt the balance in his favour. Contractually, Ganna remains with Netcompany Ineos until 2027, with his next deal likely to be one of the final ones of his career. Interest from teams such as Tudor, who are progressing towards WorldTour status, has been reported, but Ganna’s close ties with Netcompany’s bike sponsor Pinarello suggest a possible continuation with his current team. Looking further ahead, a return to track cycling and a bid for Olympic success in Los Angeles 2028 are expected to be part of his long-term plans, building on his previous Olympic gold and bronze medals in team pursuit. As Ganna pursues glory on home roads and prepares for the world championships, his evolution from specialist time triallist to a more complete rider is becoming increasingly evident. His performances this season and strategic ambitions signal a rider intent on broadening his palmarès while maintaining his status as one of the sport’s premier time trial talents. The coming weeks will be crucial in defining his legacy within the Giro and beyond.