'Without him, I would already be minutes down' – Egan Bernal thanks teammate Ben Turner for saving him on Giro d'Italia's tricky fourth stage

Egan Bernal has publicly expressed his gratitude to teammate Ben Turner for his crucial support during the fourth stage of the Giro d’Italia, which featured a challenging climb to Cosenza. Bernal found himself struggling on the second-category Cozzo Tunno climb, where he was dropped by the peloton with 2km remaining to the summit. Turner was instructed by the team to drop back and assist Bernal, successfully reeling him back to the main group and preventing any significant time loss in the general classification. Turner’s efforts did not go unnoticed, with Bernal praising his climbing ability and teamwork, stating that without Turner’s help, he would have lost several minutes in the overall standings. Despite finishing fourth on the stage and narrowly missing out on victory to Jhonatan Narváez, Turner expressed some disappointment, though Bernal emphasised the importance of their partnership and friendship over individual results. Bernal also highlighted the bittersweet nature of the moment, acknowledging that Turner had the potential to win the stage if he had not waited for him. Netcompany Ineos sports director Elia Viviani echoed Bernal’s sentiments, describing Turner’s contribution as “amazing” and noting that Bernal was not at his peak following the rest day. Viviani explained that the high pace set by Movistar on the climb tested the riders severely, and Turner’s decision to support Bernal was instrumental in keeping the team’s general classification hopes alive. He also suggested that Turner remains a strong contender for a stage win in the forthcoming stages, particularly on the fifth stage from Praia a Mare to Potenza, which features demanding climbs suited to his strengths. The episode underlines the significance of teamwork in grand tours, where individual ambitions often give way to collective strategy. Turner’s selfless riding not only safeguarded Bernal’s position but also demonstrated the depth of talent within the Netcompany Ineos squad. As the Giro progresses, the team will continue to balance supporting their GC leader while seeking opportunities for Turner to secure a stage victory, reflecting the dual goals of protecting overall ambitions and rewarding strong performances.