Bad luck was INEOS' problem on sterrato stage - "I had the legs to stay away with Egan until the final"

Thymen Arensman entered the Giro d'Italia poorly, losing significant time on the first stage which had him ponder abandoning the race. The Dutchman has - much like yesterday's stage winner Wout van Aert - improved form significantly since, and could've even battled for the win... However a poorly timed mechanical derailed his and INEOS Grenadiers' offensive plans for the day.

It was a brave attack and one that looked very good on the road as well, with Bernal and Arensman both going off the front, only followed by Isaac del Toro out of the GC contenders, and with teammate Brandon Rivera putting in a stellar performance to carry the group for many kilometers. It looked like a perfect plan, but then Arensman's bike, literally, derailed.

“What a day! I am very disappointed that my chain got stuck in my derailleur and that I had to finish the stage on Ben Turner’s bike," he revealed in an Instagram post. "It is so disappointing, because I am pretty sure that I had the legs to stay away with Egan until the final".

Shortly after, Egan Bernal cracked in the front group, not being able to keep up with his rivals, and eventually getting isolated, which saw him get caught by the Juan Ayuso group - where Arensman was after the mechanical. Both arrived to the finish together in Siena, a few seconds behind Giulio Ciccone led the group in to the line.

Bernal and Arensman sit 7th and 13th in the overall classification after the first week of the race, but with good form and a team that is being able to instigate dangerous moves. "In any case, the Giro is still long and offers many opportunities," the Dutchman anticipates. The second week of the race provides a few opportunities for the breakaways which can be used.