"I’m going to fight like hell to keep the jersey" - Thymen Arensman takes charge of 2025 Tour of the Alps after superb stage 4 solo

Thymen Arensman is reportedly set to be a key figure in the INEOS Grenadiers Giro d'Italia charge in the coming weeks, with hopes of fighting for the Maglia Rosa. If his incredible long-range solo victory on stage 4 of the 2025 Tour of the Alps is anything to go by, it could be a very special Grand Tour for the Dutchman.

Beginning the day 1:18 down in the general classification, Arensman attacked from way out, around 80km in fact. Despite the lengthy solo, the miserable weather conditions and a massive effort from race leader Michael Storer in the chase, there was no catching Arensman as he not only secured the stage win - his first victory for the INEOS Grenadiers and first of any kind since stage 15 of the 2022 Vuelta a Espana - but also managed to take control of the GC, now leading his Australian rival by 11 seconds.

"It’s unbelievable. At the start, it was so cold. I was cold too, but I know I can usually handle that pretty well. Right after a descent, everyone was freezing. It was pretty chaotic. I thought, ‘Why not give it a shot?’" Arensman explained in his post-race interview with the media afterwards. "I did wonder for a moment if it might be a bit too long to go solo, but I was feeling good and kept my pace, while everyone else was completely spent."

With one more stage to go, Arensman now has a sole focus in his mind, retaining the race lead, although much can happen on the final day. "I know that stage from 2022, when I broke away with Romain Bardet and Michael Storer," he concludes. "I’m going to fight like hell to keep the jersey. It’s going to be tough, but I think everyone’s legs are feeling it after today."