"I got seriously ill due to COVID-19" - Thymen Arensman puts difficult period behind with Top5 at Europeans

The last time we had seen Thymen Arensman was suffering in the Vuelta a España. The INEOS Grenadiers rider was unable to take the start of the 11th stage of the race due to Covid-19, after already having crashed previously. The Dutchman was making his comeback at the European Time Trial Championships, where he put in a great performance finishing in fifth place, 53 seconds behind winner Edoardo Affini and 34 seconds off the podium, marked by Mattia Cattaneo.

After the finish, the Dutchman spoke about his feelings on the bike, mentioned that the road was wet and that he didn't want to take any risks because he wasn't going to win either. He did not overlook the illness he suffered in the middle of the Vuelta a España and admitted to having surprised himself in this time trial.

"The course was quite wet, so I didn't take many risks. I wasn't going to win here anyway, so there was no need to take risks. It was a good experience to race representing the Netherlands."

"I had a very difficult time after the Vuelta. I had prepared very well for that race, but then I got seriously ill due to COVID-19. I only had a little over a week of training before this time trial. It was quite difficult to get in good shape at the start. Still, I wanted to give it a try". 

In the end he put in a good time, which also gives positive signs towards the final month of the season. "That's why it was good to have a little goal to work towards. I didn't expect to do well in this championship, but overall it was fun to do a time trial again."