Filippo Ganna was not even initially scheduled to compete in this year's Milan-San Remo, but a solid performance in Poggio and second place in Via Roma took the Italian to a new level.

He probably felt tired and sore on Sunday, but is now a true classics contender, a proven road racer, and the team leader of Ineos Grenadier.

Ganna also gave the Italian tifosi someone to cheer for in their beloved classics. His return to the Ineos team bus after the awards ceremony attracted a larger crowd than Mathieu Van der Poel, who celebrated with his Alpecin Deceuninck teammates.

Ganna is humble about his talent, but knows that one day he will win Milano-San Remo and other major classic races. He could travel to Belgium for the cobbled classics.

He will target the E3 Saxo Bank Classic on Friday, Ghent-Wevelgem on Sunday, and Ineos Grenadier, and will undoubtedly be selected for the Tour de Flanders as well, before finishing his spring classics campaign in Paris-Roubaix.

If Tom Pidcock misses the spring with a mild concussion, Ganna, along with road captains Luke Rowe and Michel Kwiatkowski, seem ready to step up and lead the team's talented young riders.

"This is a great morale booster for me. For the first time, I was chosen by Ineos to be team leader, and it motivates me," Ganna revealed to Ciro Scognamiglio of La Gazzetta dello Sport (opens in new tab).

"I was nervous before the race, but being made team leader has inspired me. My teammates seemed to think so too, and they did a great job for me in the race."

"I was very happy with my performance.

"I can only thank Matteo Tosatto of Directeur Sportif for putting me on the Milan-San Remo team. It wasn't originally planned, but it happened. Now I am more aware of my abilities. I have more faith in myself."

"As a rider I am still developing, but I am getting better every season. I plan to try again next year in Milan-San Remo. Right now I want to be one step higher on the podium."

When Tosat arrived at the Ineos team bus, he was deeply moved to learn that Ganna was close to victory and had taken another giant step in his transformation from track pursuit rider to time trial world champion. He now stands alongside Tadej Pogachar (UAE Team Emirates), Wout van Aert (Jumbo Visma), and Van der Pol.

"I have to say 'bravo' to everyone and most of all to Filippo. Especially to Filippo. Tosatto said of his fellow Italians.

"Pippo was with Van der Pol, Pogacar, and Van Art.

Tosatto, like Ganna, was happy but disappointed after coming so close to victory in Milan-San Remo.

"This is not the first time he has been in this situation. But it was a strong sign of the direction of his career," Tosat claimed.

"We must not forget that Pippo was the first to take the lead in Poggio. He was convinced of the plan beforehand. It's the little details that make a head of difference."

"This second place is something to celebrate, so let's celebrate." Then we head to Belgium with confidence."