Rod Ellingworth is one of the key figures behind the development of
INEOS Grenadiers in the 2010's and currently he is a team principal at the British team. He is keeping a very close eye at the team's Giro d'Italia performances and has nothing but complements to what he argues is a 'brilliant' race.
“I think they’re doing as well as I’ve ever seen, and they’re riding superbly well," Ellingworth told Cyclingnews at the Giro. "They’re getting led really well by Zak (Zak Dempster, the DS, ed.), and G[eraint Thomas] is G - he’s solid, and all the lads really respect him and ride for him." After last year's brilliant second place that almost resulted in a GC win from Thomas, the veteran has prepared perfectly for the race once again and sits third in the GC after 10 stages - only behind Tadej Pogacar and Daniel Martínez.
Ellingworth is keen to complement Jhonatan Narváez for his strong performances, which put on good display the team's new aggressive racing approach, but has good words on most of the team present at the Giro. So far, a consistent GC performance sees Thomas well within a shot of a podium or even victory in the right circumstances; whilst the team has already won a stage and led the race as well.
“So the way they’re racing is brilliant, and Geraint’s just got to bide his time. Who knows with Pogacar and what’s going to happen," Ellingworth argues, believing that the Welshman is in striking position in case something happens to the pink jersey. "If nothing happens, he’ll win, but if something does, G has got to be ready to pounce on it. So yeah, they’re racing really well as a unit, and it’s brilliant to see.”
Brilliant, brilliant, superb, fantastic. Ok, it sounds like they’re sure not to win or do better because they’re ready to burn up all the superlatives already. They would have to use speechless if TP drops out or crashes.
A very fair acceptance of Pogacar's strength - but I'm sure Geraint is already poised to take any opportunity that may occur. He's always near the front, watching for any sudden move, and mature enough to know when not to waste his energy.