Dutch pro cyclist Robert Gesink has decided to become part of one of the most important tours of this month; Santos Tour Down Under.
The tour will mark his first race since the crash in the last year’s Tour de France which left him with fractured vertebrae. Gesink is now feeling stronger than ever and aims to showcase his full potential and start the new season in a positive, productive and fulfilling way.
Gesink, who was able to classify himself eighth overall in last season’s TDU, will now lead the Lotto NL-Jumbo squad in Adelaide alongside New Zealand’s pro climber George Bennett, the winner of last year’s Tour of California.
Exited to witness his performance
Before the big crash that left Gesink, 31, hospitalized and out of the road for more than 6 months, he took second place at Tour de France’s stage 8. However, he is finally fully-recovered and ready to hit the road in Adelaide where many other international riders will begin arriving this week.
The TDU is set to begin with the women’s race which will take place on January 11 while on the other hand, the men’s opening criterium will take place on January 14.
“Gesink has had two top 10 general classification results at the Tour Down Under. He’s also had eighth in 2017 and sixth in 2014. So it will be interesting to see what his return to racing will deliver in terms of GC aspirations and results,” TDU race director, Mike Turtur, said.
