Thymen Arensman on INEOS' perfect ending to Paris-Nice: "I don't see it as a breakthrough moment, but simply the way we enjoy racing"
Cycling
INEOS Grenadiers have finished Tirreno-Adriatico with Filippo Ganna in a briliant second place after leading most of it, but at Paris-Nice they were in the spotlight as well. The British team have won the final stage with a tactical masterpiece, and have seen Thymen Arensman also finish the week in a unexpected final podium.
"We created the plan, and everyone stuck to it. The plan was to ride hard from the start so that the other favorites would be isolated," Arensman said in a post-race interview. "Joshua Tarling did a great job in the valley and in the first part of the second climb, where the race exploded. We were still there with three guys so that we could benefit from our numerical advantage."
INEOS, who had three well positioned riders in the GC into the day, took full advantage of that situation after the Côte de Peille. "I told Magnus that he should catch us from behind and that Tobias [Foss] and I would be at the front. He could then attack from behind at full speed. Everyone was at their limit, and he could get away immediately," the Dutchman described.
Sheffield did go on to win the stage, catching up with the riders that were ahead of him, and later on surviving the chasing yellow jersey Matteo Jorgenson who looked to win the final day. Arensman's job was to cover the moves as best as possible and defend his place in the podium.
"He did a great job, Tobias [Foss] and I could defend his attack. I also had good legs, so I was in control. It's great that we finished third and fourth (in the overall classification, ed.), mainly because everyone was part of it, like in the echelon stage. The whole group is involved, and that's great."
INEOS have been leaving a good impression over the first two months of the season, and this week's performances definitely add to it. "We've been riding this way since the season's first race. We've gotten off to a great start. This is a wonderful result. If you do the basics right, it will come naturally. I don't see it as a breakthrough moment, but simply the way we enjoy racing".
As for Arensman himself it provides a strong boost, as he gains a stronger position to lead INEOS at the Giro d'Italia (alongside Egan Bernal, most likely). "I have already finished on the podium in a World Tour race, but Paris-Nice is very nice. I feel a year older and stronger, and I hope to gain a few more percent on the Giro. I can often push myself a little more in the grand tours," he concluded.
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It's also a huge GC result for @ThymenArensman to wrap up third overall at #ParisNice 🇫🇷
— INEOS Grenadiers (@INEOSGrenadiers) March 16, 2025
It's three Grenadiers in the overall top 10, with @MagnusSheffield moving up to fourth and a selfless Tobias Foss retaining ninth.
Just rewards after an incredible, attacking performance… pic.twitter.com/pAzCLByj97
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A founding contributor to CyclingUpToDate since its launch in January 2022, Ruben Silva has played a central role in shaping the site’s editorial direction and long-term growth. Before joining the project, he built his experience through independent blogging at Echelons Hub and by producing race previews for Ciclismo Internacional, developing a strong analytical voice rooted in daily engagement with professional cycling.
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- Contract year means you gotta win, at least collect UCI points, helping be damnedabstractengineer13-11-2026
- Arensman is their best rider and he is paid very less in comparisonabstractengineer13-11-2026
- I'm not trying to argue with you but if you didn't see Del Toro struggling in the Tour I'll pay for some glasses for you lol. He struggled so much that Tadej missed winning stage 15, Tadej also dropped the pace along some stages to help Del Toro hold onto the podium. Now he may have been sick, that is a possibility, but he definitely struggled. You have a nice weekend as well brother.awp13-11-2026
- Im not copmaring him to jonas palmares...but current level of power and again like you even pointed out 19sec difference and on other ocassions del toro dropping him. Its evidently their close and based on both their different trajectory its self explanatory...where we are next year.And Del Toro didnt struggle if getting a podium in his first TDF at 22 year old is struggling you sure dont know how to be objective haha. But have a good weekend this is so dumb to discuss as its not even a discussin in reality as facts speak for themselves of what were actually speaking of - and self explanatory.miguel13-11-2026
- fingers crossed. my son has a poster of wout and mathieu battling each other at the beach at ostend up in his room. would be great to see them again there!Ketterechts13-11-2026
- This Giro is very strange in it's circular route. If you were to have stage starting in Trieste and ending atop Monte Zoncolan (end stage 20) you'd get a stage only 145 km long
Rafionain-Glas13-11-2026 - When Thomas gets the bullet from INEOS he can get a job as a comedian.
Senna196013-11-2026 - Right on. The more the merrier.Occam13-11-2026
- Remember, Del Toro struggled in this Tour. He is great, no doubt about that, but comparing him to a four time gt winner is absurd at this point. He has the potential. We'll have to see how he develops.awp13-11-2026
- what did Jonas gift and to whom? just curious, haven’t heard about this.mij13-11-2026
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