Can Arensman, Bernal, and G deliver INEOS their Giro d'Italia moment?

INEOS Grenadiers are riding like a team reborn. Sixteen victories this season and a momentum that feels different from recent years. Two riders central to that shift — Thymen Arensman and Egan Bernal — are now in the Tour of the Alps using this week's five-stage race as their final warm up before the Giro in May. IDL Pro Cycling spoke to both in Innsbruck on the eve of the race.

Of the two, Bernal arrived at the Tour of the Alps with the fewest kilometres in his legs. The 29-year-old Colombian had raced just three days before Innsbruck: defending his Colombian national title on the road in early February — taking third in the time trial, then fifth in the road race three days later — and a fifth place at the Faun-Ardèche Classic at the end of the same month.

Then came a setback. "I had some problems with my knee, at the back of the joint. I couldn't ride for about three weeks." After ten days off the bike, it became clear a longer break was needed. "We decided it was better to take a proper rest. I went back to Colombia and we adjusted the plans from there. That's why I'm here at the Tour of the Alps." He had wanted to ride Strade Bianche and Tirreno-Adriatico, both races he loves, but the knee had other ideas.

The high-altitude training block in Colombia, however, has given him confidence. "I feel good and I've been able to train well at altitude. Let's see what the form actually is."

He is characteristically measured about expectations. "If you have a big goal like the Giro, you have to be careful about your progression. I know I'm not in my best form right now, and that's probably true for a lot of the riders here who are heading to the Giro. But we're still bike racers — when we pin on a number, we go all-in for the win." His plan for this week: sharpen the form and fight for the overall classification. "I want to use this as preparation and race for the GC."

Arensman's season has been more straightforward — until the Tirreno-Adriatico, where a crash on stage two made things complicated. "I had quite a lot of trouble with it in the race, but it was nice to be able to do something for Magnus Sheffield and his GC ambitions. In the end it was a good race to have in the legs."

Since then, everything has been quiet and on plan. A ninth place at the Tour of the Algarve — an early-season test — and the Tirreno gave him his racing base. "After the Tirreno, everything went calmly and according to schedule."

At 26, Arensman is a rider who has consistently improved, and he believes this winter has continued that trend. "I've done the same as last winter, but I'm a year older and wiser. I've gained more experience and I'm getting to know my body better. I can make adjustments when I feel that's needed."

Those who listened carefully at the official press moments on Sunday often heard Arensman's name. For example, Giulio Pellizzari and 2025 winner Michael Storer named the Dutchman as the top favorite for the 2026 edition of the Tour of the Alps. 'I haven't raced for a while, so it could just be that this week doesn't go so well. But the fact that the others see me as a top favorite is a nice compliment.'

Arensman keeps both feet on the ground. Last year he won a stage and finished second in the climbing race, but the May race is more important with the Giro. 'I prepared myself as well as I could, that's all I can do. I didn't race for a while, but I did a good altitude training. I was really good until my fall in theTirreno, I know that.'

Whether there has been another step forward is harder to quantify. "I definitely think there has been progress," he said after Sunday's team presentation in Innsbruck, "but I have no idea how big that step has been. In the Algarve and the Tirreno I felt that things were good, and in training there was nothing unusual. But training is one thing — once others are at the start and the adrenaline kicks in, racing is completely different."

He carries the weight of expectation into this week. Both Giulio Pellizzari and defending Tour of the Alps champion Michael Storer named him as the race favourite at the official media sessions. Arensman deflects the label with a half-smile. "I haven't raced for a while, so it could easily go badly this week. But the fact that the others see me as the top favourite is a nice compliment."

He knows where his priorities lie. "Last year I won a stage and finished second overall, but May and the Giro are more important. I've prepared as well as I can. That's all I can do. I know I was really going well up to my crash in the Tirreno."

This is not the first time Arensman and Bernal have gone to the Giro together. Last year they were co-leaders in Italy, Bernal finishing seventh, Arensman 29th after a crash. On paper their styles complement each other well, and both spoke warmly about the dynamic.

"As riders we complete each other," Arensman explained. "Egan is a bit more punchy, I have a good time trial and I'm strong on the longer climbs. I have the luxury of being able to ride more defensively, which gives him the freedom to attack."

His words for Bernal personally were generous. "Egan is a very good rider with a beautiful palmarès. I can learn a lot from him — he's won two Grand Tours. He's also a wonderful person. He's always smiling, a real fighter. Egan never gives up; you'd sooner have to hold him back than give him a kick up the backside. I get on really well with him. It's always good fun at the dinner table."

Bernal returned the sentiment. "Thymen is a supremely talented rider. It's nice to have him as a teammate. We've raced together a lot already, so we know each other well. Within the team we have good communication and always a clear plan, and that means our different styles work together really well."

Behind both riders, something has changed at INEOS Grenadiers. The team has a new structure at the top — former rider Geraint Thomas as team manager, alongside Elia Viviani and Daryl Impey as directeurs sportifs. Arensman feels it.

"We have the momentum, and that creates a positive atmosphere. People thrive on that. With Thomas's role there's a bit more listening to the riders. I can contribute a lot myself, which certainly helps. The team is big — there are a lot of people involved — but in terms of staff and riders we are a bit more connected."

Sixteen victories this season and counting. A Giro challenge built on a partnership that has grown over two years. The Tour of the Alps starts to tell the real story on Tuesday's climb to Val Martello.