Tobias Foss looks forward to support role at the Giro d'Italia

Former world time trial champion reaps the benefits of his best winter yet, as he prepares to support Geraint Thomas and Thymen Arensman for Ineos Grenadiers

15:31, Tuesday 26th March 2024

George Poole

Junior Writer

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Tobias Foss made his debut for Ineos Grenadiers at the UAE Tour

Although the Spring Classics are well underway and grabbing most of the headlines, some members of the peloton could not have their eyes further from the fields of Flanders as they prepare for their big ambition on the horizon, namely the Giro d'Italia.

Among them is Tobias Foss, the headline signing made by Ineos Grenadiers in the off-season and a rider who finished ninth overall at the Giro some three years ago. His place in Ineos Grenadiers' lineup is not yet guaranteed, but the Norwegian has been focusing on this goal since the start of his season.

"First of all, I think I am still on the [long list], but if I go there I will be in a support role for Geraint [Thomas] and Thymen [Arensman]," Foss told GCN at the UAE Tour back in February, as he made his debut for the British team.

Ineos Grenadiers will head to Italy with Tadej Pogačar's (UAE Team Emirates) likely closest contender in the form of Geraint Thomas. Last year's runner-up will be looking to go one better this time around and given the fearsome list of contenders for the Tour, Ineos Grenadiers will be wise to send their strongest guns in support.

The British team gave the race a great go last season and came up just short, but will have a slightly different look about them this year. Thomas' right-hand man Laurens De Plus will line up at the Tour of Flanders this Sunday and quickly turn his attention to the Tour de France. His absence will certainly be noted in Italy, having finished 10th overall last year.

However, in the place of the Belgian, there is an opening for one of a number of riders to step up and become Thomas' most dependable domestique - with the understanding that Thymen Arensman could be a co-leader.

At the top of that list is Foss, who might be worthy of team leadership in another WorldTour outfit, but is looking forward to the chance to support his teammates in Italy this May.

"For myself, I hope I can improve my shape so that I am really up there with them for a long time in the climbs, and can also go full gas for the TTs," he said.

"So I need to prove a bit to get a free role or captaincy there, but I am also satisfied with being around them and doing my best for them."

A former top 10 finisher at the Giro d'Italia, a former winner of the prestigious Tour de l'Avenir and a former winner of the world time trial championships, Foss is a rider with a strong reputation.

It's a reputation that would certainly garner him team leadership at any number of teams for a Grand Tour, but the 26-year-old hasn't ridden a three-week race since 2022. His last two seasons at Jumbo-Visma were a struggle and as such, he comes to Ineos Grenadiers with somewhat of a point to prove, as he notes.

But with the transfer comes a sense of resurgence for the man from Vingrom.

Best winter yet for Foss, who has joined his dream team

After four seasons with Jumbo-Visma, the team now known as Visma-Lease a Bike, Foss was out of contract at the end of 2023 and after a protracted transfer affair, finally signed with Ineos Grenadiers in late November.

The debacle did nothing to distinguish Foss' optimism for the move.

"I am really happy about that," he said of the transfer getting over the line.

"I always had the passion and love for this team, and the people have not disappointed. They are super great people, so I am really enjoying it here and I am in a really good place."

The good place that Foss refers to is no doubt a result of his winter preparations, which left him feeling confident heading into the UAE Tour. There, the Norwegian produced a fine ride to finish fourth in the individual time trial, before riding himself to 11th overall come the end of the race.

It was a solid, if not spectacular, debut in Ineos Grenadiers colours, but that consistency is something that Foss has long been hoping for.

Foss made waves at the UAE Tour when he sported a 68-tooth chainring during the individual time trial

In an interview with Rouleur, also done at the UAE Tour, he revealed that Ineos Grenadiers had discovered the symptoms of glandular fever - also known as mononucleosis, caused by the Epstein-Barr virus - that have been plaguing the 26-year-old for the past couple of years.

That diagnosis goes a long way in explaining his inconsistent performances, which have flattered to deceive since his surprising break-out at the 2021 Giro d'Italia. With those health issues discovered and treated with a period of rest over the winter, Foss was able to prepare for 2024 in the best way possible.

"I think I had the best winter I have ever had, consistency-wise," he posited to GCN.

"I just want to keep that up and I think also my shape is probably one of the best it has been in February so far in my career, so I am in a relatively good spot now. We have a lot of work to do but I think that will come naturally with more racing and more training."

More racing has yet to come for Foss, with the Volta a Catalunya removed from his calendar ahead of the race, but the Norwegian will no doubt be seen in the orange and black of Ineos Grenadiers soon enough.

Happy in his new surroundings, free from the claws of the virus and with a first Grand Tour since May 2022 to aim for, Foss could prove to be an instrumental member of Geraint Thomas' squad at the Giro d'Italia and an inspired signing - in the end - by Ineos Grenadiers.

For all the important information about the 2024 Giro d'Italia, be sure to check out our dedicated race hub.