Doncaster duo Ben Turner and Connor Swift look to reassert Ineos authority in Giro d'Italia
Two of Doncaster’s finest will team up at the Giro d’Italia over the next three weeks hoping to play a role in a fallen giant re-establishing its authority in the peloton.
Connor Swift and Ben Turner have been selected in the eight-man team to represent the newly-rebranded Netcompany Ineos, the British squad that dominated the sport a decade ago as Team Sky.
But Ineos haven’t won a grand tour since Egan Bernal claimed the Giro’s pink jersey five years ago, and the Colombian is back to lead their challenge on the road to Rome.
Challenged with providing reliable support for Bernal and fellow general classification contender Thymen Arensman, are Swift and Turner who have gained a wealth of experience in grand tours over recent years.
Turner won a stage of the Vuelta Espana last August in one of the landmark performances of his career, and Ineos are looking to the 26-year-old to deliver across multiple roles as well as pursuing his own opportunities on flat finishes.
Swift, 30, the former British road race champion, assumes the role of road captain for the team in a race that begins in Bulgaria on Friday.
Ineos’ director of racing and former Tour de France winner Geraint Thomas said: “So much can happen in the Giro - the weather is often a factor and the terrain makes it hard as well - especially with a final week that’s always super-difficult. Things can go right or wrong pretty quickly, so it’s about being adaptable and ready for those moments.”
In the absence of 2024 winner Tadej Pogacar, former Tour de France winner Jonas Vingegaard is favourite for the pink jersey.