Thymen Arensman and Egan Bernal lined up at this year's Giro d'Italia and are reportedly set to prepare again for the Italian Grand Tour next year. According to Ciro Scognamiglio, journalist at La Gazzetta dello Sport, INEOS Grenadiers will field the Dutchman and the Colombian as team leaders.
Arensman was unable to make a significant impact in the Giro this year, although in the lead-up to La Corsa Rosa he seemed to position himself as a candidate for at least a podium finish. In the Tour of the Alps – arguably the most important preparatory race for the Giro – the Dutch climber impressed with a stage win and a second place in the overall classification.
However, in the opening stage to Tirana, his GC ambitions were immediately dealt a blow and Arensman never really recovered from this first setback. The Grand Tour rider ultimately finished no higher than 29th in the final standings, but he did make a comeback in the summer with two memorable stage victories in the Tour de France.
Info @Gazzetta_it - Sources confirmed us that both @Eganbernal and @ThymenArensman - as already in 2025 - will go to @giroditalia in 2026 @INEOSGrenadiers @cycling_podcast
— Ciro Scognamiglio (@cirogazzetta) December 15, 2025
Bernal performed better in the recent Giro, although the Colombian never really had a shot at the podium, let alone overall victory. The 2021 Giro winner settled for seventh place in the final classification after three weeks, nearly thirteen minutes behind overall winner Simon Yates.
The Giro d’Italia will also start on foreign soil again in 2026. Following opening weekends in Hungary (2022) and Albania (2025), Bulgaria will get the chance next year to host the Grande Partenza. This marks the sixteenth time in Giro history that the race does not begin in Italy. After this foreign start, three challenging weeks await on Italian soil, featuring a longer time trial and multiple tough mountain stages.
