Thymen Arensman hopes to have bigger role in next mountain stages: "I was easily sitting in the group, yet not allowed to do anything"

Thymen Arensman was part of the group of favorites from the Giro d'Italia stage to Monte Bondone for a long time, but when João Almeida accelerated, the Dutchman couldn't follow.

"I'm definitely happy with my performance," Arensman added in conversation with Eurosport. “There was one person at my wheel that I couldn't help back. That was a bit frustrating, because I was easily sitting in the group, yet not allowed to do anything. But that's part of it."

“It's nice that Laurens and I could sit there comfortably. That is good for the upcoming mountain stages,” laughs Arensman.

And Geraint Thomas is back in the pink jersey with five stages to go. The Welshman made a strong impression on Monte Bondone, although he got beaten in a sprint by Almeida. “We knew he was good and it's nice to have him back in pink. And Laurens and I are close to it”, Arensman refers to his 9th place in the standings. De Plus is 10th.