Riders of INEOS Grenadiers suddenly got Bernal's signal 'to go for it': "Honestly, I didn't feel great this morning"

"Why not?" replied Ben Turner in his flash interview when asked why he and his team had increased the pace. "We just gave it a go." Turner was the one who led the group of GC contenders, which resulted in a significant shake-up. "I don't know exactly what happened, but I heard something on the radio."

Just before INEOS Grenadiers attacked again, the team got the signal from leader Egan Bernal to increase the speed. "Egan said he felt really good and wanted to go for it," Turner said. "The acceleration and Bernal's attack weren't planned, but he said the group was too big, and the speed wasn't very high in the group."

Bernal then accelerated away from his opponents with just under five kilometers to go. Still, Isaac Del Toro (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) and Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost) managed to keep up with him. Teammate Thymen Arensman joined them shortly after, followed by Derek Gee (Israel-Premier Tech).

Bernal's decision to attack was somewhat surprising, judging by his comments after the race. In a flash interview, which can be seen on his team's social media channel, the South American said that he didn't feel super before the stage. "To be honest, I didn't feel great this morning. Even when the stage started, I thought this wouldn't be my day."

Fortunately for Bernal, his form returned. "It was good that the first part of the stage was flat. That's when the feeling in my body changed. We were a bit cautious at the start of the climb. But I said several times that we had nothing to lose. We did what we could. It was a 'funny day’ but also super tough," Bernal concluded.

INEOS Grenadiers didn't just attack on Monte Grappa. The team also tried to force something on the day's final climb, the Dori climb. After preparatory work by Jonathan Castroviejo, among others, Bernal took off. Just before the Red Bull kilometer (where all the seconds had already been awarded), his attack was quickly neutralized. Immediately after this, Arensman started to pedal hard. The Dutchman had a small gap, but UAE Emirates-XRG did not let him get away.

Castroviejo said afterward in a flash interview that he supported the sudden plan of his Colombian leader. "Today was a very tough day, 220 kilometers, the last day of the week. Tomorrow is a rest day. And yes, it all blew up in the end, so you had to take advantage of that." The Spaniard referred to the time lost by Primoz Roglic (RedBull-BORA-hansgrohe), who had to let the GC contenders go on the Dori climb.

Finally, Castroviejo sees his team leader and former Giro winner in good shape. "I think he's in an outstanding period. He's very confident; he especially loves the Giro. Ultimately, the last three years have been very tough for him, which gives him extra motivation."