"Hope for the best legs of my life" - How Thymen Arensman has targeted Giro d'Italia final week in rest day reflections

Thymen Arensman has seen his Giro d'Italia form back up his growing general classification confidence as he looks ahead to the final week. Reflecting on a demanding second week of racing that has seen the Dutchman consolidate his place among the podium contenders, the Netcompany Ineos man has admitted how difficult it is to be on top form every single stage.

Arensman came into the Giro as one of the British team's GC threats, alongside Egan Bernal, before the Colombian rider dropped significant time at the end of week one, making Arensman the de-facto leader. And at the end of week two, he finds himself in fourth overall and 40 seconds ahead of Jai Hindley in fifth.

When asked about how he feels as a crunch final week looms, the 26-year-old admitted that although he felt strong, riding for overall ambitions takes its toll on the body and mind.

"Really good, I think," Arensman said in a Giro rest day press conference. "Of course, everyone is getting tired after 15 stages in a Grand Tour. It's been really tough racing, and every day we are on the pedals, so of course, it gets into the legs, the body and the mind, of course."

He added: "It's tough riding GC and trying to stay switched on every day, but I have to say, my teammates and my team are doing a super good job for me; keeping me as fresh as possible, as motivated as possible. I really can't complain, and I'm really happy with how it is going."

On stage 14's brutal finish to Pila, high temperatures combined with relentless climbing made for a decisive day in the GC battle. Although Arensman couldn't hold on Jonas Vingegaard, Felix Gall, Hindley and Giulio Pellizzari, he's happy with his performance.

"I think I did a pretty good performance [on stage 14 to Pila] because I did my absolute best and really went as fast as possible, as I could," he said. "Also, on that day, in the heat, it was so hard to race. With all the bottles that the team got me and my teammates got me and the extra feeds, I could really do my best performance possible. I would say it was a pretty good performance."

Now, however, Arensman hopes to look forward and target a strong finish to the race. The podium is in sight even if he finds himself +3:03 from Jonas Vingegaard. He knows Hindley, Pellizzari and Michael are the biggest threats from behind.

But with Gall just 13 seconds in front, and former Maglia Rosa Afonso Eulalio a further 37 seconds, there's a chance for him to move into the driving seat for a podium place. Big mountain days on Friday and Saturday's 19th and 20th are ones that Arensman is more than familiar with as he hopes to have diamonds in his legs.

"I reconned stages 19 and 20 after the Tour of the Alps, and they are some really tough stages. It is so hard to predict what will happen in the third week. I can feel the legs and the body. The human body is a special thing, and it can react every day differently," Arensman said.

"We already saw so many changes, so honestly, the only thing I can do is try to do everything that I am doing. Stay in my routines and try to deliver my absolute best performances. I have to try to be ready for everything for those two stages and hope for the best legs of my life."