Filippo Ganna was one of the stars of the Giro d'Honore in Rome, where Italian cycling celebrated a very successful 2021 season, winning 97 medals in various events.

Ganna won his second world time trial title and anchored the Italian Team Pursuit team that won two time trials at the Giro d'Italia and the gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics.

Ganna often flew the flag for Italy's many sporting triumphs in 2021. With Vincenzo Nibali about to end his career, Ganna emerged as the new face of Italian cycling for many who would probably only watch the Giro d'Italia.

While there have been persistent calls for Ganna to use his strength to one day aim for a Grand Tour in his career, on Tuesday he flatly refuted suggestions that his time trial skills could help him turn into a Grand Tour contender like Bradley Wiggins or Geraint Thomas. was refuted once and for all.

"Going for a Grand Tour is like letting Usain Bolt run a marathon. Do you think that's possible?

"I don't even think about it. With my muscle mass, I don't think it's possible to be competitive on the climbs. I'm a realist, I don't dare dream of the impossible."

"I'm a realist, I don't dare dream of the impossible.

Ganna is already focused on 2022, although after the Ineos Grenadier training camp in Mallorca, he has yet to decide whether to return for a third year at the Giro d'Italia or to try for the opening time trial of the Tour de France in Copenhagen He is already focused on 2022.

He still trains on the track occasionally, but is unlikely to compete in the track world championships and will instead concentrate on the spring classics, grand tours, hour records at sea level, and the time trial world championships in Australia at the end of the season.

"I will hold off on track racing for a while to focus on road racing, but Paris in 2024 remains a major goal. My teammates and I will have to be ready."

Ganna's 2021 season was intense, varied, and successful, and while there will be more road racing in 2022, he and Ineos Grenadier will face some tough choices. Ganna has not raced a classic in two years, and perhaps

"The yellow jersey is something I've always dreamed of. But the Tour is tough and the time trial is on the first stage, so it won't be easy," he explained to Tuttobiciweb, noting that Ineos Grenadier's Tour team for the overall win could also include Egan Bernal and Geraint Thomas.

"It is too early to decide anything. I want to think about the classics first and then I'll think about it.

"Even in Milan-San Remo, we have to fight for positions in a team full of leaders. Paris-Roubaix is another goal, but I need some luck.