Filippo Ganna trained in the rain in Paris on Friday and learned that the surface of the Olympic time trial course could be wet during Saturday's race.

Italy's Ganna is one of the favorites for the gold medal, but he knows that his Ineos Grenadiers teammate Josh Tarling (GBR) and current world champion Remco Evenpole (BEL) are major threats to his ambitions.

Evenepoel won the World Championships in Glasgow last September by just 12 seconds over Ganna after 47.8 km. Tarling was third that day, 36 seconds behind Ganna, but at just 20 years old, he has risen to the upper echelon of time trialists.

The 32.4 km Olympic Time Trial is a flat and fast out-and-back course through the city center and from the Invalides to the Vincennes Forest and back. In the men's race, where speeds of 55 km/h are expected, a single mistake could decide the medals: taking the wrong line, hitting a hole in the road, or being too cautious entering or exiting a wet curve.

Italy is hoping the stars align for its big star, Ganna. Exactly 10 years ago, on July 27, 2014, Vincenzo Nibali was crowned Tour de France winner in Paris.

“To win, you need great legs, the race of your life, and not to make mistakes,” Ganna told Italian media in Paris.

“I don't feel any pressure at the Olympics. Of course, it is always special to wear the Italian colors and run for your country.”

Ganna raced more than 50 days with Ineos Grenadiers and won the second stage of the time trial at the Giro d'Italia, but the Olympics have always been a major goal for 2024. While some of the time trialists will compete in next Saturday's road race, Ganna will return to Italy for a final training session on the track before once again leading Italy's hopes in the Team Pursuit on August 7.

It was thanks to Ganna's final effort that Italy won gold in Tokyo 2021.

“I've been training like a decathlete, working on endurance on the road and explosive on the track,” Ganna explained.

“Since the Giro d'Italia, I've only slept at home once, in the velodrome, in a road race, and at 2,800 meters altitude. The cell phone didn't work, the air was cold, and I had spectacular views of the Alps. I did the hard work and I don't regret the rest.”

Several of Ganna's rivals have criticized the Paris time trial path.

“It's a tough course. The roads are never flat and you have to push constantly. It's fast, but you have to pace yourself correctly and leave something for the last kilometer.”

Ganna has two chances to win medals in Paris, one in the time trial and one on the track, but it may be his last chance.

“In Rio 2016, I raced after a late call-up in team pursuit. Tokyo was a success, but in Paris I want to represent Italy in a big way. It could be my last Olympics. I'm 28 years old now, and Los Angeles seems so far away.”

Unlimited access to all coverage of the 2024 Olympics, including breaking news and analysis from journalists on the ground for all road, mountain bike, track, and BMX races. More information.