Experts see Thymen Arensman as potential leader of INEOS over Geraint Thomas: "They will be very happy when either of them makes it onto the podium"
Cycling
What can possibly be Thymen Arensman's role in this year's Giro d'Italia? A key domestique for Geraint Thomas? The one to throw the situation off-balance in the mountains? Kop over Kop guests analyze the Dutchman's options and the conclusion is that the 24-year-old rider is ready to take on the leader's role!
Jip van den Bos thinks that INEOS Grenadiers has all the ingredients to prepare an interesting Giro. "Because they have two leaders for the classification, it is a very interesting team. If we think positively, they could attack Pogacar alternately to crack him. I don't think there will be any arguments between them and they will be very happy when either of them makes it onto the podium. They should really do it together."
Jeroen Vanbelleghem has confidence in Arensman in the shadow of Thomas. "Arensman has ridden two stage races this year. He finished fifth in the Algarve and sixth in Tirreno-Adriatico. That is just good. Thomas is the leader, but that does not mean that Arensman has to be in the lead. INEOS is not going to control that race."
He continues. "We already have an uphill finish on day two. Who knows, he may do better there than Thomas and there will no longer be a question about leadership after that day. It is also possible."
Read also
Saw a headline about Pogacar being in the PINK jersey for 21 days! A different strategy would allow other teams and riders to have the jersey and defend it. UAE and Pogacar could then wait until they want to keep the jersey to the end. That approach makes more teams and riders satisfied with the outcome and then we're onto the TdeF.
Every strategy has its good and bad sides for the strategist and for his opponents. Ask any chess player.
Arensman was called "potential leader" for a reason, right?
Yeah. Jonas and Roglic teaming up to attack Pogi actually works. Not sure that Arensman plus Thomas can have the same effect....
Arensman is not good enough for the Top 5 GC. He will be happy if he can stay in the top 10 :-)
He can easily get top 5 with this competition. Already twice 6th close to p5 with better competition. A truly third week specialist and the third week of this Giro is a tough one.
Exactly, he’s just being brushed off as a youngster who peaked at 22/23, only a subjective person would do that. Bet no-one is putting any of their money on him not getting top 5.
I'll put him to finish top 5 overall, for sure. Why not putting dark horses on the podium? (No pun inteded)
Thats not how it will happen. If One of them attacks, Pogacar will attack over the top of them and then both will be left chasing
Every day for 3 weeks? Pogacar was taken to the cleaners twice in the Tour by Jumbo-Visma.
Jonas can follow Pogacar when he attacks. G and Arensman cant. Thats the biggest difference
Yes, but now change the equation: Arensman or Thomas (or anybody of the Ineos squad) attacks (relentlessly)... It's my understanding Pocagar's team is not the strongest selection UAE can put in the race. We'll see.
That’s what people said of others before little Pogi and baby Jonas turned up. I’m not saying TA will be the next hottest name but for sure on a good day, I think he can surprise even more than he already did. He’s stayed under the radar as many others did before they became better known.
Pogačar and Roglic are two different things, they didn't know that. He'll show them when the time comes
Why this guy always comment without thinking? I was referring to Senna1960, not you, ATK123. He always commenting like that. Just like Ben does😑🤐😒🤦🏻
If you see similarities between 2 posters, there’s a chance they might be the same person. If you see a similarity between more than 2 posters, there’s a chance they are by a person with mental or emotional problems or a very primitive AI. But who were you asking?
Thanks for letting me know I post without thinking. I always appreciate a quick diagnosis.
Just in
Subscribe to our Daily Newsletter today!
Popular news
Latest comments
- He found a new way to cheat. Surely the conflict of interest meant he needed to step aside as a spokesperson.Pogboom05-03-2025
- TT is a highly uncomfortable natural position, you gave to practice it a lot, anything that makes it more comfortable will make it easier to keep up high power.Mistermaumau05-03-2025
- Yes.awp04-03-2025
- Actually, 54 seems rather small considering height, is that because of the legginess, does your saddle stick out quite a lot?Mistermaumau04-03-2025
- Wow, 200 big ones!!! He's definitely not recovering from that.Veganpotter04-03-2025
- Thanks, I’m a bit the opposite, not really useful in cycling ;-)Mistermaumau04-03-2025
- I've never been advised about cranks and I've ridden a 54cm or medium my whole adult life. I'm a bit leggy, not too bad though.awp04-03-2025
- How do you consider your lower/upper body ratio, standard or do you have overlong legs or torso, arms? Also how about upper/lower leg proportion? Anyone who’s gone through bike fitting, did they advise on crank length?Mistermaumau04-03-2025
- Yes, I've test 152mm up to 172.5.awp04-03-2025
- Pretty much so, also he is assuming a lot of stuff. Is it still the same people, has he forgotten the banking situation around the crisis of 2008? Are finances as healthy as he pretends (another big Dutch bank is closing prestigeous adresses). Maybe he’s speaking more emotionally than rationally from personal suffering or maybe the products affected his analytical brain ;-)Mistermaumau04-03-2025