'I did everything I could' – Thymen Arensman bumped off Giro d'Italia podium after team had tried to set him up for second in the Dolomites

Thymen Arensman’s hopes of securing a maiden Grand Tour podium suffered a significant setback during the Giro d’Italia’s punishing queen stage in the Dolomites. The Dutch rider, who began the day in third overall, struggled on the final steep climb to Piani di Pezze, losing over a minute to his closest rivals. This performance drop saw him slip to fourth place in the general classification, now trailing Jai Hindley by 29 seconds with just two stages remaining. The 151km mountain stage featured six climbs, including the challenging Passo Giau, and appeared to be a day where Arensman’s team, Netcompany Ineos, had positioned him well for an attack. His teammate Embret Svestad-Bardseng controlled the descent off Passo Falzarego, and former Giro winner Egan Bernal set a strong pace early on the final climb. However, when Felix Gall launched a decisive attack 3.5km from the summit, Arensman was unable to respond and was dropped from the leading group, ultimately finishing the stage in twelfth place. Despite the disappointment, Arensman remained resolute and praised his team’s efforts throughout the day. He acknowledged the difficulty of the stage and expressed pride in having given his maximum effort, emphasising his determination to continue fighting for a strong finish. With the race concluding in Rome, Arensman is focused on recovery and aiming to improve his position during the remaining stages, including a less demanding mountain day featuring the Piancavallo climb. The reshuffling of the podium places adds intrigue to the final days of the Giro, with Jonas Vingegaard maintaining his lead and Jai Hindley moving into third. Arensman’s setback highlights the fine margins and brutal nature of Grand Tour racing, where even a small lapse on a steep climb can have significant consequences. As the race heads towards its conclusion, the battle for the remaining podium spots promises to remain fiercely contested.