Filippo Ganna has revealed how a message from Geraint Thomas inspired him to a stunning victory at the Giro d’Italia.

The Italian – who wore the maglia rosa after winning the opening day time trial  – triumphed by 34 seconds on the 225km stage five from Mileto to Camigliatello on Wednesday after powering away from a breakaway on the final climb.

And Ganna then revealed he had been sent a message from Ineos Grenadiers team-mate Thomas who pulled-out on Tuesday after fracturing his pelvis in a crash on Monday.

“I messaged G and he said ‘Oh Pippo go in the breakaway, you should try as you can win another stage.’

“And today I tried and I managed to get this amazing victory for myself and the team.

“It is not easy to pull up [my weight] 82kg up the climb! There was a problem with the radio and I didn’t know the time gap to the other guys and after the climb I had to time trial to the finish line.

“I just had to think ‘Filippo, pull full gas’ to the finish.”

Ineos’ sporting director Dario Cioni said: “We were all for G, and it is such a shame that he had to go home, but you have to take your opportunities and there will be more to come.

“There are 17 stages still to go and we want to ride them well.”

Ganna was set to be a support rider for Thomas in his Giro bid until Wales’ 2018 Tour de France champ suffered the sickening injury in a crash after a water bottle was caught in his front wheel.