INEOS Grenadiers used "strength in numbers" to take a hold of Coppi e Bartali, says Cookson

INEOS Grenadiers have been having a tough week in Catalunya, however in Italy at the Settimana Internazionale Coppi e Bartali they have taken a stage win and are leading the race after a strong collective performance today which saw Ethan Hayter take the stage win.

Team DS Oliver Cookson has talked after the stage regarding the team's performance: “A tough day on paper and it was even tougher in the race itself. We were ready for the final circuits that started after 55km and we knew how technical and difficult the roads would be. We used our strength in numbers to our advantage, covering moves on the climbs, and followed the big names when they were trying to push and open the race," he said. Although no riders were able to escape the clutches of the peloton, some of the stage favourites were dropped, and between the final group of 17, Ethan Hayter had the legs to wrap off the stage in a strong sprint, resembling his form of last year.

They also took over the race lead as overnight leader Mauro Schmid was dropped earlier on in the day, and taking advantage of yesterday's attack, Eddie Dunbar is now in the head of the race: "Once the existing GC leader Schmid from Quick-Step was dropped, we took control of the race with Geraint to calm things down. G did an incredible ride, riding for over 50km on the front."

"We managed the other attacks with Eddie and Ben going on the final laps. In the end we knew the final climb suited Ethan with the sprint. The guys managed the whole situation well, covering late moves from UAE, and chapeau to all of them. They rode the race from the front and we were on the front foot all day which is key in this type of stage. We’re in a good position moving forwards but it’s going to be hard work in the coming days. We’ve got a strong team and we’re ready to give it everything," Cookson completed.

As Dunbar takes over the lead of the race now, it is up to the British team to defend the team's position. With Hayter as another card and a strong team support, they stand in a strong position heading into what may be considered as the queen stage into San Marino.