When Ineos Grenadiers came to the front of the decisive Tagliacozzo category-1 climb at the end of stage 7 of the Giro d'Italia, a few journalists in the race press room were left scratching their heads. What were the British team up to, given they were admittedly fielding a top outside contender with Egan Bernal, but certainly not one of the main favourites?
Ten kilometres further up, after Bahrain Victorious had taken over pacing for the middle section of the 15 kilometre ascent, only for Ineos' Jonathan Castroviejo and Thymen Arensman to return to the fray as the steepest segment approached, the answer finally emerged.
