'It was nice to see the whole group on my wheel' - Ganna lights up home roads but has to settle for memories

Racing close to home, on roads he knows intimately, the Netcompany Ineos rider was one of the early protagonists as the battle to form the breakaway exploded across the flat opening kilometres from Alessandria to Verbania. Ganna repeatedly tried to force his way clear, several times alongside his brother-in-law Matteo Sobrero of Lidl-Trek, but the peloton was well aware of the danger.

“It was nice to see the whole group on my wheel,” Ganna said afterwards to CyclingPro.net. “I must have scared someone today. We tried a couple of times, and with Matteo that was the intention too. But as soon as you looked back and there was even the smallest gap, you asked for a turn and everyone was stopped. So I knew today could have been possible.”

The stage eventually went the way of Alberto Bettiol, who delivered a powerful solo victory for XDS Astana after attacking over the final climb of Ungiasca. Behind him, Andreas Leknessund and Jasper Stuyven completed the podium, while the main peloton allowed the day’s breakaway to contest the honours.

For Ganna, the frustration of missing the move was softened by the emotion of racing on familiar roads. The finale, with the climbs of Bieno and Ungiasca followed by a technical descent into Verbania, had looked tailor made for a rider of his power and descending ability. Even without a personal result, he found joy in the occasion.

“Of course, it would have been nice to get a result myself here today,” he admitted. “But it was beautiful to ride my home descents without braking. Closed roads, beautiful.”

Ganna had spoken before the stage about wanting to enjoy the support of family, friends and fans along the route, although the intensity of racing made that easier said than done. Still, he managed to pick out familiar faces from the roadside.

“I saw quite a few people along the route,” he said. “Obviously I don’t know where they are now. I think my family are at the finish. Maybe if I see them later at the bus, I’ll at least be able to say hello.”

The day ultimately belonged to Bettiol, a close friend of Ganna’s and a rider who had not won since becoming Italian national champion in June 2024. His victory gave XDS Astana their third stage win of the Giro and added another Italian success to the race.

Ganna, despite his own missed chance, was quick to recognise the significance of the result. “Yes, I saw that Alberto won,” he said. “At least it’s a joy for him in this Giro too.”

For Ganna, stage 13 was not the dream result many had hoped for. But on home roads, cheered on by familiar voices and watched closely by a peloton that was never going to let him ride away, he still showed why so many had marked this stage as his before it even began.