Ganna targets Milan–Sanremo in 2026 - 'No more second places'

Filippo Ganna says 2026 will be defined by converting near-misses into victories, with Milan–Sanremo his top priority in a recent interview with the Gazzetta, “In recent seasons, several second places have arrived. Too many. They must be transformed into first places,” he said. “Maybe I’ll race a little less, but when you go racing, you go there to win.”

The INEOS Grenadiers rider confirmed an ambitious schedule: Milan–Sanremo, Paris–Roubaix, stage wins at both the Giro d’Italia and Tour de France, and the Canadian World Championships. He also welcomed Elia Viviani’s new role as a sporting director within both INEOS and the Italian national team. “He should be my reference DS, so I will discuss a lot with him. It will be easier to coordinate the club’s program with that of the national team. It will make me grow further.”

Sanremo remains the Monument he feels closest to. “I have already shown that I can be there. In a fraction of a second, there is the difference between success and defeat,” Ganna said, adding that 2026 is about refinement rather than reinvention: “Rather than changing, try to do the same things a little better.”

Ganna finished second in the 2025 edition, after a brutal final 30 minutes in the saddle, behind the winner Mathieu van der Poel and ahead of World Champion Tadej Pogačar in the three-up sprint.

Also Paris–Roubaix is still absent from his palmarès, although he did win the youth race of the 'Hell of the North' back in 2016, Ganna was candid. “It’s true I’ve never even touched it as a pro. I never found the right moment, often arriving a little out of shape. I have to try whenever I can. Who knows, maybe in 2026 the story will change.”

Ganna pointed to his recent time trial form as evidence that his trajectory is positive. Reflecting on his silver medal behind Remco Evenepoel at the European Championships in France back in October, he said: “I expressed record values, which I have not done since the Valdobbiadene time trial at the 2020 Giro d’Italia, and indeed compared to those I have made further progress. It wasn’t enough to win, but it takes more to discourage me.”

Asked about Evenepoel’s interest in attempting his 56.792 km Hour Record, Ganna’s response was concise: “Welcome! We’ll see.” The Italian set the current mark in 2022 and has consistently said he is open to a renewed challenge.