Cyclingflash
Filippo Ganna seems unlikely to start in the Tour of Flanders

Filippo Ganna seems unlikely to start in the Tour of Flanders

With an impressive display of power in the final kilometers, Filippo Ganna managed to reel in Wout van Aert and claim victory in the 80th edition of Dwars door Vlaanderen. In other words, the Italian seems ready to shine in the Tour of Flanders, but for now, Ganna does not intend to participate in Flanders' biggest race.

For Ganna, the next two weeks are fully focused on his dream classic, Paris-Roubaix, and the Tour of Flanders will have to make way for that. Or will his win at Dwars door Vlaanderen make him reconsider? "Right now, I’m fully committed to Roubaix," he said at the press conference, including to WielerFlits.

Easter dinner and a 65-inch TV
However, his team leader at INEOS Grenadiers, Elia Viviani, hinted that 'plans can change.' "I think then he’ll need to call my girlfriend because she’s preparing a fantastic Easter dinner," Ganna responded with a broad smile. "I already have the food ready, and my TV is 65 inches, so I can comfortably lie on the couch and follow the race well."

"Maybe the plans will change, but yes… if the team asks me to start in Flanders, I’m ready," the time trial specialist from Verbania definitely keeps the door open. "If I have to work for the guys, I’ll do that. If the team tells me: Filippo, you’re the leader, then I’m the leader. So I’m open to it."

Viviani: "For now, we are sticking to the plan"
WielerFlits spoke after the race with Ganna’s compatriot Elia Viviani, who is now part of the peloton as an INEOS team leader. The former top sprinter emphasized the importance of the victory in Waregem. "This comes at the right moment. I know Filippo was really disappointed after Milan-San Remo and Gent-Wevelgem. He needed a day and a win like this to regain confidence ahead of Roubaix. It’s also a motivational boost for the team."

Viviani sees his countryman getting better and better. "He has had a good preparation and is ready. Today you also saw him riding with a different mentality. He was right on top of things. Even a broken wheel and handlebars didn’t stop him. He changed bikes twice, came back, and then attacked twice in the finale on the cobbles. That was truly impressive to see, especially since the finale went perfectly."

Whoever can claim victory at Dwars door Vlaanderen should also be capable of playing a significant role in the Tour, but it doesn’t look like Ganna and his team will change course. "For now, we are sticking to the plan," Viviani states. "We don’t want to get too excited just after a win. Maybe it will be discussed again tonight, but not yet, just half an hour after the race."

"Filippo is really focused on Paris-Roubaix. Tomorrow (Thursday, ed.) he has a full recon of Roubaix scheduled. Again, for now, we’re sticking with the plan. Whether that changes tonight or tomorrow, I don’t know, but this is the current plan."