'MVP' Egan Bernal plays crucial role for Arensman: "I had to think back to a specific moment"

Thymen Arensman could no longer challenge Jai Hindley's podium spot on Saturday, but he did manage to defend his fourth place in the general classification of the Giro d'Italia. Thanks to Egan Bernal, as the Colombian took his Dutch teammate in tow throughout the final climb.

Afterwards, Arensman extensively thanked his teammate. "Egan won the battle for the MVP title (short for most valuable player) today," the Dutchman said gratefully to Eurosport. "I am just incredibly proud of the guys and feel very proud and honored to ride for this team and to be able to give something back for all their efforts with a great result."

Bernal did not hesitate for a moment when he saw his younger teammate struggling on the slopes of Piancavallo. "At that moment, I thought back to the 2021 Giro. I also had a tough time in a mountain stage and had to drop back, but was helped by teammate Daniel Felipe Martínez. Thymen had a difficult day, but I knew what to do," said the Colombian afterwards to Domestique.

Final balance 
"It was especially important to take the steeper part of the climb a bit easier, then accelerate on the flatter section. That’s exactly what we did." Bernal managed single-handedly to drive Arensman back forward towards the group with Felix Gall, Jai Hindley, and Derek Gee-West. The latter still tried to seize Arensman’s fourth place on Saturday.

"We can look back on a good race, although you always want more," Bernal sums up. "Thymen is very close to the podium and that’s what we have to work with. Now we need to keep improving and be ready for the upcoming races."