“I thought back to that exact moment" - Egan Bernal rewinds time and reverses role in Arensman support at Giro
Cycling
Egan Bernal proved the saviour for Thymen Arensman on Saturday as the Giro d'Italia reached its climax on stage 20 on the climb to Piancavallo. The Netcompany Ineos rider was put under pressure by Derek Gee-West and it was a flashback for Bernal that helped him step up to the mark.
Arensman sat fourth in general classification but as the key contenders made their move, the Dutchman knew he would be attacked and the team had a plan to help keep him in the general classification. That's where Bernal came into play.
The Colombian suffered a first-week setback as he lost time in a key stage and as Arensman's general classification fight intensified, the 2021 Giro d'Italia winner became a super-domestique to help pace mountain stages.
In the heat of the battle on stage 20, and with Gee-West attacking to make up 57 seconds in his pursuit of Arensman's 4th, Bernal found himself transported back in time to 2021 when he needed to dig deep to salvage his general classification hopes in a key stage.
Bernal's 2021 Giro d'Italia defining moment
At the time, Daniel Felipe Martinez was seen encouraging and firing up the Colombian. This time around, Bernal saw the tables turn as he supported Arensman, successfully helping him ease back to Gee-West and consolidate his fourth place in the general classification.
“I thought back to that exact moment, when I was being dropped and he was helping me. Thymen was going through a difficult moment, but I knew what I had to do," Bernal said via the social media channels of the team.
“We had to take the steep section a little more steadily and then accelerate on the flatter part. That’s what we did. It was a good race. You always want more, but Thymen is very close to the podium and that’s the situation. Now we have to keep improving and be ready for the next race.”
Arensman pays tribute to Bernal
Arensman was quick to pay tribute to Bernal in the aftermath: “Well, there is still one stage to go, so who knows? But Egan really was the MVP today,” Arensman told Cycling Pro Net in an interview after the stage.
“We had a plan for today and we did exactly that,” Arensman said. “I think we both did a super good performance and paced the climb to absolute perfection.”
“I know from yesterday as well that on such steep climbs, I have to pace a little bit more,” Arensman explained. “Then on the slightly easier last part, we could make a difference together. It is super nice when a plan comes together.”
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
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