Super Pippo or Top Ganna, call him what you want, he's never been one for proclamations and this year he wants to raise the bar even further on the bike. Setting aside, at least for races and the moment, the track that brought him to the spotlight, he wants to prove he's one of the strongest in line races (and not just time trials where he's a specialist). Starting with Milan-San Remo, where two years ago he was on the second step of the podium and last season he missed out only due to a puncture and a mechanical issue when he was right there competing with the best.

We can't help but start with your raised arms finish in Portugal...
"What can I say? In previous years I was missing a victory in the first months of the year, so it's not a drama. In fact, I've never been up front in February before, so let's take the positive side... Unfortunately, the time trial wasn't suited to my characteristics, so there was nothing to do, but the sensations were good. It's undeniable that we're always going faster. The quality in the group continues to grow: if a few years ago out of 150 riders 50 were ready, today 140 are already in shape. The level is extremely high".

The UCI, instead of focusing on sock length, should be more concerned with race safety. You started the year at Etoile de Bessèges where you withdrew along with most of the group due to obvious shortcomings in that regard.
"In Figueira, on the contrary, I pleasantly noticed that at every intersection there was personnel assigned to close the roads. You need to organize races if you have the means to do so, there are costs, it's undeniable, but our safety is at stake and you can't save money on our lives. Regarding regulations, this year they gave us a hard time about helmet visors, honestly, I didn't understand what wasn't good. Technology advances, everyone improves, if someone is good at adopting an innovation, I don't see why they should be penalized".

There have been several changes in the technical structure of Ineos Grenadiers.
"Yes, to seek a comeback after a few difficult seasons: I hope they bring the desired results. I just think about pedaling, about expressing myself fully on the bicycle. I'm confident, sport is made of cycles and sometimes, abandoning ship might seem like the simplest and most immediate choice, but it's more beautiful to succeed in bringing the ship back to calmer waters, not so stormy. It's an ongoing process. The team has shown confidence in us athletes, and we must have confidence in them too. We'll all try to be ready at the right moment and show that we're back to being who we were".

How are you preparing for the major goals of this season?
"From Portugal, I flew directly to Gran Canaria until Tirreno-Adriatico, I arrived at the Race of the Two Seas with my head and body in the right place, aware that I was feeling good. Mentality means a lot in this cycling, so I want to stay calm, without wrapping my head prematurely. I'd like to do well in both Milan-San Remo and Paris-Roubaix. If I had a crystal ball, I'd like to know how they'll end, but it's not possible to make predictions, so I'm working to arrive in the best possible condition. Once I've done my best, if the result comes, great; if someone is stronger than me, I'll congratulate them, and if I make mistakes, I'll analyze them to improve".

Do you feel you have more free time without track races?
"Let's say if I had to add other trips to those already planned for the road, I wouldn't know where to fit them, but I miss the track and I'm not just saying that. After the final time trial in Algarve, I talked to Dario David Cioni (who remains his reference for time trials, despite having a new 'first' technical coach, the Dutchman Dajo Sanders, for the athletic part, ed): I told him that I feel I miss the lactic work in position at high regimes. I didn't feel like my best self, I accumulated fatigue and the day after the time trial I felt discomfort in my glutes like when you don't go to the gym for a while and then you're all sore. Surprise: Filippo doesn't use the time trial bike every day".

So you need to return to the velodromes?
"In Gran Canaria, I brought the time trial bike, and yes, I'll start doing track training again because it does me good. I'll call Diego (Bragato) and Dino (Salvoldi), since they're the new national team coaches, even if the WhatsApp group 'Who Hates Villa' that brings together the Azzurri who have grown up under Marco's wing remains untouched. The bond created between us track athletes and the staff with whom we won Olympic medals doesn't depend on the roles assigned in the federation. We have a human connection that goes beyond where you're positioned in the sector, we'll continue to maintain the relationship. With Dino so far, apart from a few 'hi, hi', I haven't had much to do, having him as a coach will be a new experience. I'll call him. For the road, Marco will mainly have to do selection work more than race direction. The evening meeting is important, but not having radios in the race, we athletes are the ones making decisions. We'll see based on the routes, who he'll call up for physical form and tactics... Obviously, I hope to be useful to the cause".

What have you learned from your previous participations in Milan-San Remo?
"The 2023 edition taught me to believe more in myself, the following one that the head matters more than legs in certain situations. I wasn't in my best form ever, but I gritted my teeth and as long as I could, I played my cards. In 2025, I hope to experience even better sensations, we'll talk about it after crossing the finish line on Via Roma".

The most fearsome rivals?
"For Roubaix, it's easy to name Wout van Aert, Mathieu van der Poel, Jasper Philipsen, Stefan Küng, Mads Pedersen - the riders in the top ten are more or less always the same. San Remo, however, is a question mark. Every year someone different and unexpected makes it to the end, so an outsider could win as often happens, or the world champion Tadej Pogacar will manage to outsmart everyone".

Or the group takes a wrong turn and Ganna wins.
"And they don't cancel it? This time I'll also make a mistake out of solidarity (laughs). Jokes aside, my dream finale could be of three types: I arrive at the Poggio with the best legs and anticipate like Fabian Cancellara did, I arrive with half a leg and attempt an all-in sprint, or from the Poggio we find ourselves in a small group and play it as it comes because... nothing is clear. We're dealing with the same route, the same slopes, more or less the same riders, but San Remo is unpredictable and never obvious. That's the marvel of this race".

The women's race is also returning...
"Thank goodness! I mostly get information about women's cycling through Elena Cecchini and of course, I cheer for the Italian girls. Don't make me name names though because I'm terrible, even with men. Think that a few days ago in the group I asked the person next to me what the name of a Red Bull Bora rider was because I couldn't remember who he was. After 10 minutes, I had to ask again what his name was because I had already forgotten the surname they just told me. It's my problem, which my teammate Axel Laurence perceived, whom I called Alex I don't know how long. He never responded... then I understood why".

What drives you to sweat every day in the saddle?
"The races I still haven't won: Milan-San Remo, Paris-Roubaix, and a Tour de France stage. And then I'd like to win a world championship again (that would be number 10, including the 2 time trials and those already won on the track, ed). At the beginning of the year, they asked me, if I could choose, what I would want to win between Milan-San Remo or Paris-Roubaix? I answered and I'll repeat that now is not the time to choose, it's the time to win. This is my goal for 2025, to triumph as much as possible".

from tuttoBICI March issue