Still no Thymen Arensman in Strade Bianche as INEOS director explains why
CyclingSaturday, 07 March 2026 at 17:29
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Follow us on Google‘See you in Strade.’ That was the sign-off from Thymen Arensman after his first race of the season at the Volta ao Algarve. But when INEOS Grenadiers published their line-up this week, the Dutchman’s name was nowhere to be seen on the start list. Before the race, the team explained the decision to IDLProCycling.com.
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Arensman impressed last year on the gravel stage of the Giro d’Italia, where he suffered bad luck at a crucial moment. The Dutchman’s chain jammed in his rear derailleur, forcing him to finish the stage on teammate Ben Turner’s bike. He still managed to come home eighth on the day.
With his background in cyclo-cross, the white roads of Tuscany should suit him well — and he was originally expected to return there on Saturday. But Arensman did not make INEOS Grenadiers’ final selection for Strade Bianche. “That’s with Tirreno-Adriatico in mind,” Norwegian sports director Kurt Asle Arvesen clarified.
Continue reading below the photo!
No Thymen Arensman in Strade Bianche
Arensman will still start — and is in good shape — for Tirreno-Adriatico
“We want Thymen to have the ideal build-up towards that race, so that’s why we decided not to ride Strade Bianche,” the director explained. “He will arrive in Italy on Saturday evening and he’s doing well.”
“It’s not so much that we want to avoid risks with the Giro in mind, because you can just as easily hit the deck at home in Andorra,” he continued. “It’s more about Tirreno-Adriatico, because he’s in good condition and he’s been able to prepare really well.”
So Arensman is still set to start on Monday in the individual time trial in Lido di Camaiore, where he is aiming for a strong overall classification. Egan Bernal will also miss Strade Bianche and, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Colombian will not start Tirreno-Adriatico on Monday either
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Tom van der Salm (27) comes from the charming town of Zeilberg (Deurne) in the Netherlands and has been working as editor-in-chief & journalist at IDL Pro Cycling's parent site, In de Leiderstrui, since 2019. He travels with the peloton from the Tour de France to the AlUla Tour and from the World Championships in Rwanda or Canada to the Zilvermeercross in Mol. In his spare time he enjoys playing football, mountain biking, running, walking with his Labrador/Stabyhoun, investing, holidays, (specialty) beers, reading, cooking and watching sports & documentaries!
Contact: [email protected]
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