Frustrated Arensman starts Tour de France time trial 13 seconds late - 'I was in the zone'

Arensman rushed towards the start ramp moments after his scheduled departure time, but was briefly stopped by officials to complete the required start procedure before being allowed to set off.

Looking frustrated and shaking his head, the Netcompany-Ineos rider eventually rolled down the ramp thirteen seconds after his official start signal.

NOS journalist Sebastiaan Timmerman reported that the delay appears to have originated within the Netcompany-Ineos camp. The team is said to have misjudged the timing, leaving Arensman with too little time to reach the start ramp before his scheduled departure.

The incident was unlikely to have any real impact on the general classification. Arensman began the stage in 29th place, more than one hour and 36 minutes behind the race leader, with his hopes of a strong overall finish already gone.

Nevertheless, the lost seconds could still prove costly in the fight for the stage result. Arensman is one of the better time trial riders in the peloton and started the day as an outsider for a top placing.

He underlined that ability at this year’s Giro d’Italia, finishing second in an individual time trial behind teammate Filippo Ganna. The result helped him gain significant time on his rivals and contributed to his eventual fourth place in the general classification.

Arensman recovered well from the chaotic start. At the first intermediate checkpoint, he posted the third fastest time among the riders who had finished that section, just 11 seconds behind provisional leader Felix Großschartner. He eventually placed seventh, 1:47 behind Evenepoel, although a cleaner start would likely have been enough to secure sixth.

Speaking after the stage, Arensman accepted responsibility for the unusual incident. 

"It's my own responsibility. I was in the zone, but neither the team soigneur nor anyone from the UCI gave any indication that I needed to go," he told media including NOS at the finish. 

"It's a bummer, but I tried not to lose my cool and just pedal as hard as I could. It is frustrating, of course."

Despite the initial setback, the Dutchman said he was able to refocus during his ride.

"By channelling that into a different kind of energy, though I am human, after all... Especially in the third week. It's a shame, but there's little I can do about it now. The team and I just need to learn from it."