Filippo Ganna ruled out of Giro d’Italia 2023 with Covid-19 in huge blow to Ineos Grenadiers
/dnl.eurosport.com/sd/img/placeholder/eurosport_logo_1x1.png){kind=logo}
ByEurosport
Updated 13/05/2023 at 10:29 GMT
Filippo Ganna has had to abandon the Giro d’Italia after testing positive with Covid-19. Ganna was a key lieutenant for both Geraint Thomas and Tao Geoghegan Hart in their general classification bids. The 26-year-old was also billed as one of the favourites for the Stage 9 individual time trial on Sunday – a 35km race against the clock from Savignano sul Rubicone to Cesena.
Bais lauded by McEwen on The Breakaway after Stage 7 heroics
Filippo Ganna has abandoned the Giro d’Italia after testing positive for Covid-19, his team Ineos Grenadiers said in a statement.
“Filippo Ganna will regrettably not line up to contest today’s Stage 8 of the 2023 Giro d’Italia, after testing positive for Covid-19 and displaying mild, flu-like symptoms,” said Ineos in a statement.
“Filippo will now rest and recover fully before resuming his remaining 2023 race programme.”
The Italian’s withdrawal represents a sizable blow to Ineos, as Ganna was a key domestique for both Geraint Thomas and Tao Geoghegan Hart as they chase general classification success.
And he was considered one of the favourites to win the Stage 9, 35km individual time trial from Savignano sul Rubicone to Cesena on Sunday.
"A massive loss,” said Dan Lloyd discussing Ganna’s withdrawal on The Breakaway ahead of Stage 8.
"He has got Geraint Thomas out of trouble on two occasions so far on this race. He has done a lot of work already and they won’t miss him quite as much on the high mountains unless they are defending a race lead, but he is still a huge loss to them.
"Firstly, for his own result tomorrow in the time trial, where he would be hoping to take a win there, but also for what he can do on the flat for that team in the coming couple of weeks.”
The 26-year-old will now recover before resuming the rest of his 2023 programme, Ineos added in the statement.
The Giro d’Italia continues on Saturday with a lumpy 207km Stage 8 from Terni to Fossombrone, the final third of which includes three categorised climbs and a fast descent to the finish.
- - -
Stream the 2023 Giro d'Italia live and on-demand on discovery+, the Eurosport app and eurosport.com
Scan me
Related Topics
Share this article
Advertisement
Advertisement