Ineos’ cautious strategy falls foul of crashes at Tour de France

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Ineos Grenadiers. Ineos finished stage 2 of this year’s Tour de France into Nyborg with their GC hopefuls losing no time, but a surprising amount of collateral damage given their cautious ride. "It was sketchy and stressful but I think we’ve definitely had worse,” Geraint Thomas said after the finish. “With the way the wind direction was, everyone knew not a lot was going to happen, but it was still obviously a very nervous peloton with crashes and stuff. ”Ineos kept riders toward the front of the peloton which ensured that the GC trio of Thomas, Adam Yates and Martinez weren’t affected by splits or crashes. “The boys were really good looking after me, Yatesy and Dani,” Thomas said. “We were in a great position. ”However, the team struck misfortune 2.

5km from the line when Daniel Martinez and Filippo Ganna were both downed by a crash. “It was just unfortunate at the end with Ganna and Dani in that crash," Thomas explained. “Luckily I wasn’t right behind them, just to the left of me.

I saw a big black sort of blue thing in the deck and I thought shit I think that’s Ganna, unfortunately it was. Yeah, I haven't seen him yet but hopefully those two are alright. ”Ineos confirmed that the two riders remounted their bikes and were able to ride over the line, but were set to undergo further medical checks following the finish. “Filippo and Dani crashed in the final but they seem OK,” Ineos DS Steve Cummings told Cyclingnews at the Ineos team bus. “It's too early to say, but I think they’re OK. ”Speaking about the lack of attacks and the clustering of the peloton on today’s stage, Cummings pinned the blame on the conditions.  “It’s just a headwind isn't it?