After dull buildup, Thymen Arensman aims for revenge in Strade Bianche and strong Giro standing

The 2026 season has started excellently for Thymen Arensman. The Dutch climber from INEOS Grenadiers delivered a strong individual time trial at the Volta ao Algarve, placing him seriously in contention for a top-5 spot in the general classification. These are promising signs for Arensman, who will follow an Italian program and aims to go for the GC in the Giro d’Italia.

"The winter was very boring," Arensman says somewhat surprisingly to the camera of Wielerflits. "But that’s actually very positive. I didn’t do too much and also not too little... I wasn’t sick, didn’t crash, and had no setbacks. Boring and calm, but all according to plan. It’s nice to see in the time trial that it has paid off."

With goals mainly set for later this spring, the Tour of Algarve is a good benchmark for the winner of two Tour de France stages. "I didn’t do anything crazy in training and listened well to my body. I’m on track, I would say."

'The team asked if I want to do Strade Bianche, that’s nice, right?'
"After this, Tirreno-Adriatico and an Italian block follow for me. The team asked if I wanted to do Strade Bianche, even though it is risky ahead of the Giro. But it’s fun, right, gravel?" laughs Arensman. "I think I’d really like to do that. I also want to take revenge for what happened last year in the Giro."

Arensman is referring to the bad luck he experienced in the gravel stage to Siena, eventually won by Wout van Aert. He rode very strongly and, despite mechanical issues, still managed to finish eighth in that Strade stage. "I really enjoy it, so I’m going to try to go there," he announces.

For the GC in the Giro
In the build-up to this season, Arensman already stated that he still has general classification ambitions, especially this year in the Giro, despite his strong performances as a stage hunter in last year’s Tour. There was no discussion about his approach. "I’ve always done two Grand Tours in recent years, so it’s easy to say one for GC and one for stages. My strongest years are coming now, so we’ll keep going like this," explains Arensman.

After those Tour stage wins, two sixth places at the Giro (2023 and 2024), and his fifth place in the 2022 Vuelta, he does not set the bar higher for himself. "I don’t focus on results, I try to get the best out of myself and then it will come naturally," he states.