"No" - Geraint Thomas denies he gave Thymen Arensman green light to not wait for him on Giro d'Italia stage 16
Cycling
Geraint Thomas was one of the more notable casualties of the shortened, rain-affected stage 16 at the 2024 Giro d'Italia, losing considerable time to his rivals and dropping from 2nd to 3rd in the general classification in the process.
Notably, despite Thomas clearly struggling, the Welshman's INEOS Grenadiers teammate, Thymen Arensman opted not to wait and support his leader, instead battling on with White Jersey rival, Antonio Tiberi on the final climb instead. "The team told us we had to climb the climb as quickly as possible," reflected the Dutchman post-stage 16.
When asked by Eurosport ahead of the start of stage 17 on Wednesday morning, whether or not he had given his young teammate the go ahead to fight for himself on the final climb, "No," Thomas responded bluntly yet firmly. "It might have been better if Thymen had waited, but still. It was such a short climb, it only took a few minutes. It wouldn't have made much difference anyway. It was only a few seconds.”
Having lost time, and now finding himself on the back foot in the race for second however, Thomas might be out to prove a point on another mountainous day on stage 17. “I feel better now than yesterday. I hope things get better again. If there is an opportunity to take back second place in the GC, I will definitely try," concludes the 37-year-old. "If the legs are good, I definitely want to attack. But that is easier said than done.”
Arensman meanwhile, starts the day 6th in the general classification, just 24 seconds off Antonio Tiberi in the race for the White Jersey in the Best Young Rider classification. Whilst the Maglia Rosa is completely out of sight barring a miracle, INEOS Grenadiers still have plenty to ride for at a Grand Tour that has already seen them take a pair of stage wins.
Kieran WoodDeputy Editor-in-Chief
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He regularly contributes to DartsNews.com and CyclingUpToDate.com, where he covers professional cycling and darts. In cycling, his work includes liveblogs from major races, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, alongside race reports and analysis. He has also conducted interviews with professional riders.
His reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis. For statistics, results, and historical context, he regularly uses resources such as ProCyclingStats. To support reporting on rider activity and training context where relevant, he also references Strava.
In his work, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.
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- This is a really interesting idea, which, if well prepared could even be very successful. Very little money needs to be involved for a first season and any success could lead to rapid interest from sponsors.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Hmmm, you seem to have a very convenient black and white view of things. Perhaps you haven’t been around much to discover how complex problems can become over time with people who know how to control, manipulate (or worse) others so gradually or subtly that you arrive at an irresolvable situation before you realise. This is how many inconveniences get introduced to the young, naïve, passionate or “desperate”, knowing they are not armed, protected or strong enough to defend themselves once it’s too late. Why do you think omerta culture is so widespread, why do you think so many people continue to go through so many awful things in life that others can’t understand anyone getting into? Life may be far more jolly for you but you would do well to understand (or reflect more on) the real world to refrain from being so quick to criticise those in a hard spot that may have genuine reason for speaking out.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
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- I get the point totally. We live in the snowflake society where some riders forget they are getting paid to ride and get results. When they have a few issues they try to look outside of the real issue instead of themselves. It odd so many of the team are making no complaints and getting on with their job. If you do not like what you do find another job simples. Tough love as my mum would say.paultryan200207-11-2026
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- But on what is that opinion based? Are you holding him to a different standard than others? Are you saying he should do learn to like something he doesn’t Are you saying he hasn’t achieved enough Are you saying he pretends to be better than his results? It’s actually a really strange opinion to oust if you consider it objectively or rationally. Try applying it to others or yourself by asking if not EVERYONE should then be doing more? Nobody in athletics or swimming gets criticism for not expanding their repertoire when a rival or someone else does. In fact, most who move to another event get accused of running from their rival. Opinions are boring, the reasons behind them are what count.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- for a medical chief to throw things like is just bad. There are already radios which were banned for spectacle. allow radios. Gps trackers are not a complete solutionabstractengineer07-11-2026
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💥 We're expecting a frantic start at the #Giro with the new Cima Coppi awaiting the riders within the first 10 kilometres. DS Oli and @tobias_s_foss give their run down of the day ⤵️
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