'He needs to call my girlfriend, because she's preparing a fantastic dinner for Easter' – Despite dramatic Dwars fightback, Filippo Ganna says Paris-Roubaix remains his next race, not the Tour of Flanders

Filippo Ganna, fresh off a powerful performance at Dwars door Vlaanderen where he outsprinted Wout van Aert, has confirmed his immediate focus remains Paris-Roubaix. Despite his impressive form, the Italian stated that Ineos Grenadiers' current plan does not include the Tour of Flanders this Sunday, though he would race if asked. This declaration, made post-race, underscores a deliberate strategy from both rider and team as the Classics season intensifies.

Ganna's decision, or rather Ineos's directive, highlights a calculated approach to his spring campaign, prioritising the cobbled monument where his power and time trial prowess are expected to be most effective. His Dwars performance, particularly his ability to bridge a significant gap and then win a reduced sprint, serves as a potent reminder of his versatility and current condition. For a rider often seen as a pure time trialist, his increasing comfort and success in the Classics signals a significant evolution, making his absence from Flanders all the more notable given his current trajectory.

Ultimately, Ganna's focus on Roubaix, while denying fans a tantalising Flanders match-up, is a pragmatic move. A fresh Ganna for the Hell of the North is a far more dangerous proposition than one potentially fatigued from a full Flanders effort.