Thymen Arensman: "This is my new level"

With a strong performance at Tirreno-Adriatico, Thymen Arensman showed glimpses of his true potential and this week at the Tour of the Alps he's shown to be capable of riding with the best in the mountains. Despite being on a supportive role for Romain Bardet, the 22-year old Dutch has finished the race in third place after an impressive final day.

Whilst he got himself on the podium, he also proved crucial support for Bardet, who has taken the opportunity to win his first overall classification since 2013. “That our plan has worked? The intention was indeed to force something on the last climb. But of course it also just came down to the legs. I knew from myself that I usually do well in cold weather and that the form was good. Then it comes down to pedaling as hard as possible," he said.

The Team DSM duo took advantage that Pello Bilbao suffered a mistimed mechanical on the approach to the final climb, and had the legs to match every move made on the steep pitches of the Stronach climb. Together with Bardet and former teammate Michael Storer, the trio worked together to break the peloton appart and consolidate their gap, which led the three of them into the final podium.

“It is indeed a nice step. I realized today that I really had bad legs yesterday, while I still finished in the top ten without losing any time. Apparently this is my new level. But I also took a step last year, but it was not so noticeable then. Now people see it," he pointed out.

“And that is also the plan that the team management of Team DSM had agreed with me when I signed here. Things are now going exactly according to plan. Will I keep my feet on the ground? Yes. I am quite a sober person. You don't have to worry about that. That is why I also mention once again that I am leaving for the Giro as a domestique of Romain Bardet. With pleasure," Arensman concluded.