ROBERT GESINK
Date of birth: 31/05/1986
From: Varsseveld, Netherlands
Team: Belkin
Previous teams: Rabobank Continental (2006); Lowik Meubelen (2005)
Robert Gesink career profile
Robert Gesink talent lies in his climbing ability - an usual trait for a man hailing from the flatlands of the Netherlands.
Turning professional for the Rabobank squad in 2007, Gesink quickly made a name for himself winning the young riders’ classification at the Tour of California and finishing fifth at the Tour of Germany.
2008 was Gesink’s real breakthrough year as he beat Levi Leipheimer to a stage in California, took fourth at Paris-Nice, fourth at Flèche Wallonne, tenth in the Olympic road race and seventh at the Vuelta (incidentally, the Dutchman’s first attempt at a Grand Tour).
Gesink worked hard to improve his time trialling and the ‘Condor of Varsseveld’ was touted as a likely candidate to become the first Dutch Tour de France winner since Joop Zoetemelk in 1980.
Despite a series of strong performances in stage races - including overall wins in the Tour of Oman and Tour of California - to date, Gesink has failed to appear on the top step of a Grand Tour podium. His best Grand Tour result was fifth overall in the 2010 Tour.
In April 2014, Gesink announced he would take a break from professional riding due to abnormal heart rhythm.
Robert Gesink results
2013
Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec
2012
Tour of California; stage seven
Tour of California; overall
2011
Tour of Oman; stage four
Tour of Oman; stage five ITT
2010
Tour de Suisse; stage six
2009
Tour of California; young riders’ classification
Giro dell'Emilia
2008
Paris-Nice; young riders’ classification
Tour of California; stage three
Tour of California; young riders’ classification
2007
Tour of Germany; young riders’ classification
Tour of Belgium; stage four
Tour of California; young riders’ classification
2006
Settimana Ciclista Lombarda; overall
Settimana Ciclista Lombarda; stage three
Circuito Montanes; overall
Circuito Montanes; stage six
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