Tuesday's fourth stage of the Giro d'Italia on Mount Etna saw no major changes in the overall standings, with only a few big names losing time in the 22.8km summit finish.

Jumbo Visma leader Tom Dumoulin was one of the day's losers, falling 9km from the line and losing over 9 minutes at the finish.

The Dutch rider said after the stage that he did not have the legs to fight in Etna, telling reporters at the summit, "I have no more answers than you guys."

This was Dumoulin's first Grand Tour since the 2020 Tour de France, and he finished seventh as teammate Primoš Roglic finished second. Dumoulin's career was interrupted last season until May, and this Giro will be his comeback in a Grand Tour.

Speaking to WielerFlits (opens in new tab), Jumbo-Visma's Directeur Sportif Marc Rief said that despite his poor showing in Etna, it is premature to write Dumoulin off as a GC rider. [He told WielerFlits (open in new tab), "It is too early to draw the line today. Tom, of course, will have important things to say."

"He has shown he is not in bad condition. We told Tom to take it with him to spend the rest of this Giro. First we need to calm down, reset in the next few days, and then seize the moment.

Leaf said that the team had not reached any further conclusions as to why Dumoulin struggled in Etna. He added that Dumoulin has a better chance during the race to win the stage and likely help his teammate.

"The conclusion is as Tom himself indicated in his first answer," said Leaf. 'There is nothing to blame him for. He has worked hard for this. His preparation was not optimal, but his last three weeks at altitude were good."

"Now he must maintain his confidence, knowing that classification is no longer possible. But all that hard work should not be in vain. There will be other opportunities in this Giro and I will fight for them."

Jumbo Visma's other top climbers in Italy, Tobias Foss and Sam Omen, also lost time in Etna, with the pair finishing 2:15 behind the main GC group alongside Vincenzo Nibali. Rief admitted that a podium challenge was no longer possible, but said a top 10 finish was still possible.

"My plan for this Giro is not that much different. Together with Tobias Foss and Sam Omen, we will aim for another good GC here. That's what's important right now."

"They will be aiming for the best possible classification. A podium finish is no longer possible, but perhaps that was not a realistic goal; a top 10 is also part of the ranking. We have seen in recent years that despite a poor start, progress can be made in the second half of the season."