Arensman sixth in weather affected stage

Laas › Santa Cristina Valgardena (Monte Pana), 118.7km

Thymen Arensman climbed to sixth, with Geraint Thomas digging deep to limit his losses on a weather affected stage 16 of the Giro d’Italia.

The day started in a confused state, with forecasted severe weather on the already altered course causing concern for the peloton. Some back-and-forth with the race organisers would see the stage significantly shortened, with the main climb of the day, the Umbrail pass, tackled in cars, rather than bikes, owing to the extreme conditions.

The new, shortened route kicked off from 120 kilometres remaining, with a small break gaining less than two minutes before their advantage was eradicated on the first of the climbs in the finale.

Onto the penultimate climb and the Dutchman was unfortunate to puncture as the pace was on, but great teamwork saw him return to the group in short order.

With the pressure ramping up, Thymen and G were present in an ever-reducing GC group, as they bounced into the final climb of the day. Fierce gradients would prove decisive, with Arensman going well to climb to sixth, and Geraint digging deep in tough conditions to limit his losses in 15th.