“Being two minutes slower never felt this good” - Thymen Arensman storms onto Giro d’Italia podium after stunning Netcompany INEOS one-two

Thymen Arensman turned Stage 10 of the Giro d’Italia into a major personal breakthrough, climbing onto the provisional podium after a superb ride in the 42km individual time trial from Viareggio to Massa.

The Dutchman finished second on the stage behind teammate Filippo Ganna, completing a dominant Netcompany INEOS one-two on a day that reshaped the upper end of the general classification. Ganna was untouchable in the fight for victory, stopping the clock in 45:53, but Arensman’s ride carried huge GC weight as he moved from sixth to third overall.

After the finish, Arensman summed up the mood on Instagram, writing: “Very happy with today’s performance.”

Stage 10 always looked like a chance for Arensman to gain ground, but the size of the move was still striking. He finished 1:54 behind Ganna, but five seconds ahead of Remi Cavagna and well clear of the main GC group.

Jonas Vingegaard finished 3:00 down on Ganna, Afonso Eulalio lost 4:57, Felix Gall conceded 4:22 and Jai Hindley finished 3:31 back. That left Arensman as the biggest winner among the leading overall contenders.

His own reaction made clear that the result was not accidental. “A result of great preparation together with the team and really good legs out there today,” he wrote.

That team element mattered. Netcompany INEOS did not simply win the stage through Ganna. They also placed Arensman second, moved him into the podium places, and left the time trial with one of the strongest collective results of the Giro so far.

Arensman also found the lighter side of finishing nearly two minutes behind a teammate and still having one of the best days of his Grand Tour career. “Being two minutes slower than Filippo Ganna never felt this good,” he posted.

It was a neat summary of the day. Against Ganna, nobody came close. Against the rest of the GC contenders, Arensman was outstanding. The result now changes the shape of his Giro. Eulalio remains in pink, Vingegaard is second at 27 seconds, but Arensman is now third at 1:57 and firmly in the podium battle before the race returns to more selective terrain.

Arensman closed his post by sharing the credit around the team, adding: “Thanks to the team, congrats Pippo. Champagne tonight. Thanks for all the cheers!”

For Ganna, Stage 10 was a long-awaited time trial triumph. For Arensman, it may prove to be the day his Giro podium challenge truly took shape.