“It’s not Pro Cycling Manager” - Thymen Arensman gives behind the scenes insight into INEOS Giro d’Italia plans

As the 2025 Giro d’Italia gets underway tomorrow, INEOS Grenadiers rider Thymen Arensman stands out as one of the dark horses for a strong general classification performance.

The 25-year-old Dutchman comes into the race in excellent form. He recently won a stage at the Tour of the Alps and finished second overall, adding to a third-place finish earlier this season at Paris-Nice. His track record at the Giro is already impressive, sixth overall in each of the last two editions, and with consistent climbing and time trialling ability, he’s quietly emerging as one of the outside threats to the podium.

On the eve of the race beginning, Arensman has found a different way to connect with fans. Just a day before the Giro begins, he hosted an impromptu Q&A on Reddit, where he answered questions about preparation, nutrition, race tactics, and life off the bike.

Asked about how the INEOS Grenadiers riders have been preparing for the Giro, Arensman offered a rare behind-the-scenes look: “It’s a mix. For Egan and Brandon Colombia makes sense - of course. But the others we have had camps together. I was in Sierra Nevada with Lucas and Castro. But then for example Ben and Josh + Kim did the classics and had a different planning.

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“It’s all pretty individual but we try to go together where possible. Eeeh, we all saw each other here in Albania. That’s the thing with cycling, some teammates you don’t see all year! But we had a great November camp and we all know each other, haha!”

The dynamic between Arensman and Bernal will be one of the most interesting narratives. Bernal is of course a former winner of the Giro and the Tour, but what level will he be at this month? Early in 2025, he was showing signs that he was returning to his brilliant best, but then a crash may have slightly disrupted his progress.

If the Tour of the Alps and Paris-Nice are anything to go buy, then Arensman will be more than ready to lead INEOS if Bernal is not quite ready for a GC bid yet.

Nutrition, particularly carbohydrate intake during long, high-intensity races, was another topic that drew questions. One fan asked how he trains his body to manage the sheer volume of fuel required in a Grand Tour. Arensman responded, “It’s training! Like training your lungs/heart/mind you can train the gut! So that’s also what we do.

“Effort rides in training are also 90+. But also on flat days or at the start of the stages I am probably a bit lower and I try to only eat solid food. But the main thing is training! If you do it out of nowhere of course your stomach will be destroyed if you didn’t train it!”

When asked whether riders are affected by exhaust fumes from race vehicles and roadside flares, Arensman was candid, “Sometimes, yes. Especially on climbs when ‘fans’ light those flames. Horrible especially racing at threshold. I get that it looks nice but it’s just not nice. In the race in don’t really feel the exhaust from moto’s or cars in the race but for sure it’s there. I was quite (un)lucky with no moto in front of me at Alps, haha! So didn’t notice.”

Despite the demands of the sport, Arensman remains grounded and focused on enjoying life after a race. Asked what he would do immediately after completing a Grand Tour, he gave a warm and relatable answer: “The first thing I do? Probably nothing, haha. Cuddle with our new puppy - and my girlfriend of course.

"Then visit a cafe and just enjoy the calmness of life again. Just enjoy that there is no planning or suffering for a moment. To do what you feel like! Nah, I think after a grand tour you just want to relax. No bike for a few days and just re-enter society again, haha! It is satisfying to finish a grand tour but pretty happy to go home after. Especially also being 4 weeks in the road before on altitude and Alps. But first motivated to race for 3 weeks!”

One user asked the inevitable: when will Arensman consider launching a bold, long-range attack, the sort that captures imaginations and headlines. But the Dutchman’s reply showed just how calculated modern racing has become.

“I think the circumstances have to be right, if there are a lot of teammates left from teams, big roads and flat-ish. It doesn’t make any sense and you just throw valuable energy away in a grand tour. It’s not pro cycling manager, haha!

“Once I made the decision in Alps (it was more instinct and feeling to be fair) I wasn’t really thinking, just feeling my legs and going. Eating and pedalling. Focussing on what I have to do to be honest.”