'The first big goal is the yellow jersey' - Ineos Grenadiers' Filippo Ganna on his Tour de France ambitions

A fortnight on Friday, if all goes according to plan, Filippo Ganna will start his first Tour de France. When he does so, the Italian will have more pressure on his shoulders than most.

Ad/> For while most will focus on either individual dreams or team responsibilities, Ganna is that rare rider with both weighing on his mind. Critérium du DauphinéGanna wins time trial, Van Aert second to extend overall lead08/06/2022 AT 15:39 “The first big goal,” he tells the GCN Eurosport Cycling Show, “is the yellow jersey.” Ganna’s remarkable record against the clock in recent years — he won the men's time trial at the World Championships in both 2020 and 2021 — means that anything less than victory in the 13km opening stage time trial in Copenhagen will be viewed as a disappointment.

In the 2020 and 2021 seasons he went to the Giro, winning six stages of his home Grand Tour, and wearing the maglia rosa for five days across both editions. 'It's a special result' — Ganna thrilled with Tirreno-Adriatico win 'It's like getting Usain Bolt to run a marathon' — Ganna on Grand Tour hopes ‘Maybe next summer’ — Ganna thinking about hour record attempt He is more than willing to acknowledge, however, that “the Tour is another level".

“We’ll see if the prologue can give me a good present, or if I will suffer for nothing,” he laughs. “We hope there is not a lot of strong wind and my legs can spin well.” /> Whether he wins on Stage 1 or not, as soon as the rainbow-striped bike is back in the mechanics’ truck Ganna’s concerns will revert to the all-important role he is expected to play for his team.

A decade on from Bradley Wiggins’ landmark victory, Ineos Grenadiers will be targeting their eighth Tour title. Though their hopes of delivering Egan