Filippo Ganna could leave Ineos for Lidl-Trek this winter

Filippo Ganna could leave Netcompany Ineos this winter despite having a contract with the British team through the end of 2027. Lidl-Trek has made the Italian a priority and is pushing to bring forward a move that would otherwise wait two more seasons.

Any transfer would first require an agreement with Netcompany Ineos to end Ganna’s contract early. If that happens, Lidl-Trek would add a former Olympic team-pursuit champion and the current world time-trial silver medallist to a squad that already includes Mads Pedersen, Mattias Skjelmose, Juan Ayuso and Jonathan Milan.

Ganna’s value extends beyond his time-trial ability. The 30-year-old has become a major one-day race contender and won Dwars door Vlaanderen this season. In the previous campaign, he finished second at both Tirreno-Adriatico and Milan-San Remo, third at the E3 Saxo Bank Classic and eighth at the Tour of Flanders.

Lidl-Trek’s pursuit of Ganna would add to an already significant recruitment drive for next season. Jordi Meeus, Igor Arrieta, Felix Gall and Gregor Mühlberger have already been secured, but the team must still convince Ineos to release one of cycling’s leading rouleurs before the Italian can change teams.