Dutch cyclist Thymen Arensman begins this year's Giro d'Italia (Italy's three-week grand tour stage race) with realistic podium ambitions after key rivals Richard Carapaz and João Almeida withdrew, leaving the 26-year-old Netcompany Ineos rider as one of the stronger challengers behind favourite Jonas Vingegaard. Arensman, who won two stages at last year's Tour de France following a difficult 2024 Giro, says he is approaching the race with a relaxed mindset rather than fixating on specific results, focusing instead on performing to his maximum each day. The race starts in Bulgaria and concludes in Rome, with Arensman pointing to the gruelling mountain stages in the final week — particularly the climbs in the Dolomites — as key moments where he expects to be competitive.