"It was a great first race of the year, let's continue like this" - Thymen Arensman takes confidence into spring and Giro d'Italia

A fifth place at the Volta ao Algarve kicks off Thymen Arensman's 2024 season. The INEOS Grenadiers profited from a good time-trial and consistent performances in the uphill finish to send good signals aheadof the spring.

“I am happy with my performance on the uphill finishes. I had a good winter and we had made a nice plan with Dajo Sanders, but you never know how things will go in the races themselves. Happy to see that the training is being paid for. Let's build from here," Arensman told Wielerflits at the end of the final stage to the Alto do Malhão where he finished ninth and climbed to fifth in the GC.

Despite the Top5 result - ahead of teammate Tom Pidcock - the Dutchman is still wondering how far he could've gone without the crash suffered on stage 3. “I am disappointed in my time trial performance, but I can only blame myself. It felt like I was riding with one leg on the time trial bike. I should have gone to the physiotherapist after my fall on day three because my left glute was completely blocked after a fall," he admits.

"But thanks to the staff of INEOS Grenadiers I was able to perform again today. We will take this with us to the next competitions! I would like to thank my teammates and staff for all the hard work. It was a great first race of the year, let's continue like this." Arensman currently does not have a clear next goal this spring, but most likely he will take part in either Paris-Nice or Tirreno-Adriatico.