In the tough stage through the Marche the pace was high from the start. Just like two days ago, the stage was affected by terrible weather conditions. In the end a leading group battled for the stage victory. Behind the break, Bennett, Foss and Bouwman were part of the front peloton when Team Ineos pulled through on the Forca di Gualdo, halfway through the stage. Bennett quickly got into trouble on the final climb. He was able to return again with the help of Bouwman, but it was all over at about five kilometres from the finish line. Foss could stay with the best until the final kilometre and left a strong impression. He is now in eighteenth place overall at just under two minutes behind Maglia Rosa Attila Valter.

“We came to the Giro to ride a good overall classification with George”, sports director Addy Engels said. “We now have to be realistic and conclude that that plan can be put on hold for the time being. George was affected by the cold and was completely empty at the end. We gave him dry and warm clothes and tried to give him as much energy as possible. He was able to return on the final climb with the help of Koen, but after that it was all over. However, until the final climb we were doing really well with three guys in the front peloton when Ineos made that move. In the end we made the call that Tobias could go for his own chances. What Tobias has shown is a good performance. He didn’t finish too far behind the best climbers. Hopefully Tobias can continue like this. Furthermore, everyone finished well and we will have to make other plans for the remainder of this Giro.”