An exciting #TdP2023 time trial comes to a close, with @GeraintThomas86 ending up with the third fastest time. @kwiato pushed hard to finish 8th, but crucially moves back on to the overall podium in third with one day to go 👏
"I'd rather G win and I have a DNF, none of that matters to me" - Thymen Arensman all-in for Geraint Thomas at Vuelta a Espana
CyclingFriday, 04 August 2023 at 17:30
Thymen Arensman made the move over to INEOS Grenadiers this winter but for several months it didn't seem to be clicking. At the Giro d'Italia however the Dutchman began to show his best level once again, and heading into the Vuelta a Espana he's hoping to use that in support of Geraint Thomas.
“This group makes me calmer. I hope, if all goes well, to ride the Vuelta. Of course you have to be selected first, but I think the signals are good," Arensman told Wielerflits. "I trained well in Andorra with part of the Giro group, which was great fun. It went very well and that is why I hope to be there in the Vuelta."
Last year's sixth placed and winner at Sierra Nevada, Arensman was very impressive on his debut leading a team in a Grand Tour. That won't be the case this year, but at the Giro despite being in a fully domestique role he still managed to ride into another sixth spot. Fully focused on the three-week races, the 23-year old is developing into a strong specialist capable of holding his own in a high quality field.
"Sixth was a great achievement, especially when you see that I was employed by G. But I would like to exchange that sixth place for a Giro victory for Thomas. Hopefully we can do something similar in the Vuelta. But I'd rather G win and I have a DNF, none of that matters to me," he admits. "It would be very nice if we can win the Vuelta with him, then we will look to the future.”
Arensman has been in an altitude camp in Andorra with his teammates and has came down together with the Vuelta block to Poland where they've been racing this week. Michal Kwiatkowski has been given the lead, whilst Arensman forms part of the supporting squad for the veteran.
“I can do my job well for the team. It's going according to plan and I'm happy with the work I can do here. On Wednesday I rode a nice day in the lead, together with Laurens De Plus. That was very hard, but it was fun to do," he adds. "It is also good for Michal that we can give something back to him. And it was also a good training."
“All I can do is do my best every day. I've shown what I can do and that will come out eventually. I'm in no hurry, and the team has every confidence in me. Actually more than I might in myself. I showed what I can do. It will be a matter of time. I am still very young and have already shown great things, so that cannot be gone.”
The level at the Vuelta a Espana will be very high, but will also provide him another opportunity to show his immense worth. “It is going well now. I am now settled in Andorra, so I feel good. In a better place, shall we say. I have no stress at all and I try to do what I like. That's cycling. With these riders, like a Geraint Thomas, it's nice to do these kinds of races. That makes me calmer," he concluded.
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