A champion is evaluated not only by the medals he manages to win, but also by what he leaves for the generations that come after him. Filippo Ganna is already well on his way, both in terms of results achieved on road and track and in how he is inspiring young people.

The hour record holder today in his hometown of Vignone (VB) launched the Filippo Ganna Academy, a project born with the ambition of bringing young people back to sports, particularly cycling. The association, created by Pippo's will, not by chance with his father Marco as president and mother Daniela among the founding members, supports the ASD Pedale Ossolano where the blue talent grew up in the youth categories.

About forty Allievi riders will wear the jersey presented today, which moves from the characteristic bordeaux of the historic Piedmontese team to orange this year, the color that Top Ganna will showcase on his Ineos Grenadiers uniform starting from the Volta ao Algarve. His seasonal debut is set for February 18th.

"I ask you to respect the rules and be disciplined, commit yourselves and make me look good. I don't want you to be unfair to your opponents or use inappropriate words just because my name is on your chest. Everything will be provided to you, you'll only be missing the body suit, but I'd say you can do without it since I finished 2nd at Milano-Sanremo in shorts and a shirt," the 29-year-old, multiple world champion and Olympic medalist, began, addressing the young members of his Academy. "I don't want you to thank me for what I'm putting in, but to show respect for the society and behave well. I want you to convey a clean image of people who are committed and maybe even make other kids want to join this group. Sometimes we'll train together, and you can ask me any questions you want, without embarrassment."

And further: "We want this to be a long-term project. Maybe in the future we'll expand to juniors, but we want to do things right, so one step at a time. I thank all the partners who have decided to embark on this adventure alongside us and the staff who will follow these young people to help them grow best, guiding them on roads that are unfortunately very risky for cyclists. We don't want the kids to be champions from a very young age, but to be champions tomorrow when it really matters, so I also ask parents to let coaches and staff work in peace, without interfering with race tactics."

After speeches by Vignone's mayor Giacomo Archetti, FCI President Cordiano Dagnoni (via video message), Marco Rocca representing FCI Piemonte, and don Massimo who wished the boys to become champions in life by assimilating sports values, Pippo interviewed the young athletes present, most of whom said they dream of a professional future. "We'll have to set up a World Tour team..." he joked, addressing lawyer Patrich Rabaini who handled the formal establishment of the ASD that the Ganna family began thinking about in 2022.

"After covid, we realized there are fewer and fewer young people practicing cycling nationally and in VCO, a territory that has the maximum representatives of Italian cycling, given that Elisa Longo Borghini is also from here. Our goal is to bring kids back to practicing sports for their health and growth, so we'll go to schools and oratories, and organize open events," explained Marco Ganna, before passing the floor to Florido Barale, a former pro and father of Francesca, who rides for Movistar.

"I've been in this society since I was born, having an established champion like Pippo in our ranks is a pride, seeing him so grateful fills my heart. His tenacity and dedication should be an example for all our members. This partnership allows our society to renew itself in search of talents and bring them to races. Thank you Pippo for the lifeblood you give to VCO cycling with your concrete commitment," concluded Barale, who will handle the technical part as president of the ASD Pedale Ossolano.