'No-one wants to go too deep, too early': Geraint Thomas explains lack of attacks on Giro's opening mountain stage
The favourites for the Giro d'Italia 2017 title marked each other on the first summit finish of the race to Mount Etna

The GC group sprints for the line at the top of Mount Etna on stage four of the Giro d'Italia

The Giro d'Italia's Mount Etna stage on Tuesday failed to explode and produce big difference because everyone was finding their legs and thinking of the wind, says Team Sky's Geraint Thomas.
>>> Five talking points from stage four of the Giro d’Italia
Jan Polanc (UAE Team Emirates) fired free from an early escape and soloed over the black lava fields to win the fourth stage.
Russian Ilnur Zakarin (Katusha-Alpecin) slipped away from the favourites’ group and Thomas won the sprint for third behind. The bonus seconds moved him to second overall at six seconds behind pink jersey Bob Jungels (Quick-Step Floors).
"Everyone was just watching everyone, no one really went," Thomas said.
He arrived at the bus after an anti-doping check and spoke surrounded by Italy's fans.
"Obviously it was a bit of headwind the last 2K and I think everyone was a bit apprehensive. I felt good and it was nice to win the sprint for third and get a couple of seconds. Not a bad day."
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
The 17.95km Sicilian climb opened up near the top with lava fields spreading toward the finish line and volcano's mouth. The wind, chilly but warmed by the island's sun, held most back.
Vincenzo Nibali (Bahrain-Merida), a two-time Giro winner, tired under three kilometres. Zakarin's move stuck at 1.1km.
"I felt good on the climb, but like myself, I think everyone didn't want to go too early, too deep. I think everyone is finding their legs and sussing each other out," Thomas continued.
"Nibali did try, but with the wind it's always tough. Guys still had a few team-mates and they rode at the front. If it was a bit more of a select group it might've been different.
"When Zakarin went everyone looked at each other, but when Nibali went, obviously everyone is going to chase straight away."
The Welshman, who is co-leading this Giro with Sky's Mikel Landa, sits second and Englishman Adam Yates (Orica-Scott) holds third ahead of a group at 10 seconds. Most of the big stars are in that group including Nibali, Nairo Quintana (Movistar), Tom Dumoulin (Sunweb) Thibaut Pinot (FDJ) and American Tejay van Garderen (BMC Racing).
Thomas seems in perfect spot. Had he taken the pink jersey, Sky would need to work early for its leader.
"I guess [I am in the perfect spot], but I wouldn't turn down the pink jersey, it'd be nice to wear that. But it's a good start,” continued Thomas.
"Obviously it's a nice psychological boost to win the sprint but at the end of the day, it's still a hell of a long way to go to Milano. I think will know a lot more from Sunday [with Blockhaus, the next summit finish].
"Blockhaus will be bigger test on Sunday. It's a lot harder climb and we'll see where everyone's really at there."
Tomorrow, the race heads towards Messina where the sprinters should have their chance. In the evening, the Corsa Rosa makes the small ferry ride over to Italy’s mainland.
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Gregor Brown is an experienced cycling journalist, based in Florence, Italy. He has covered races all over the world for over a decade - following the Giro, Tour de France, and every major race since 2006. His love of cycling began with freestyle and BMX, before the 1998 Tour de France led him to a deep appreciation of the road racing season.
-
FDJ-Suez, SD Worx-Protime, Lidl-Trek confirmed for Tour of Britain Women as strong list of teams announced
18 teams set to take part in four-day WorldTour stage race
By Tom Thewlis
-
Cyclists could face life sentences for killing pedestrians if new law passed in England and Wales
Reckless cycling currently carries a maximum two-year jail term
By Tom Thewlis
-
'It can really push me along' - How a velodrome comeback is making Caleb Ewan faster on the road
Australian says he'll "definitely" continue track work after rekindling passion
By Tom Davidson
-
Could Caleb Ewan be Ineos Grenadiers' first Tour de France sprinter since Mark Cavendish? 'That's my goal'
"All I can do is try to win as much as possible and prove that I deserve to be there," says Australian
By Tom Davidson
-
'An unprecedented opportunity for brands to be part of the evolution' - Ineos Grenadiers sponsor hunt steps up with sales agency partnership
Sportfive have been employed to find "non-endemic global partners for the team"
By Adam Becket
-
'We've all got a little bit extra in us this year' - Ineos Grenadiers recapture 'fighting spirit' with aggressive Paris-Nice display
British team continue to put tumultuous 2024 behind them with momentum and a new found mentality
By Tom Thewlis
-
Could a TotalEnergies deal be the end of Ineos Grenadiers as we know them?
Reports suggested this week that Ineos could be close to signing a deal with the French petrochemical firm
By Tom Thewlis
-
'They’re racing with their hearts again' - Robbie McEwen on Ineos Grenadiers' bright start to 2025
The British squad have already won four times in 2025
By Tom Thewlis
-
Ineos Grenadiers are entertaining so far this year, but how long will it last?
The British WorldTour squad have won four times already in 2025, but more than that, they have been fun. Is this the new dawn?
By Adam Becket
-
Caleb Ewan says he was put in a 'bad situation' by Jayco AlUla before he joined Ineos Grenadiers
Ewan joined Ineos Grenadiers in January after spending just one year with Jayco AlUla
By Tom Thewlis