Robert Gesink was the revelation of this years edition of Paris - Nice. But Gesink continued to impress observers with
strong performances in the Ardennes classics. Earlies this month Gesink earned top ten spots at the Olympic road race and
the Olympic time trial. Gesink clocked the tenth best time at the Olympic time trial, which isn't exactly a specilaity of
Gesink but on the climb at the Beijing time trial Gesink showed his class. Stage 20 of this years Vuelta a Espana will suit
Gesink, its a mountain time trial.
After the Olympic time trial Rabobank's sports director, Erik Breukink said: "Robert planned his season well. He also
nicely worked towards the Games. Two tenth places in this field of contestants is just really very good. He also defeats a
few major specialists."
What that means for the Vuelta? Breukink: "It means he is in good shape and that he will be able to hold on to that in
the coming weeks, in my opinion. The team will soon come back from China. Robert will have a training week here in the Netherlands
and might participate in the Ouest France Plouay, a one-day race. After that he will set his sight on the Vuelta," Breukink
said.
Speaking about the Ouest France Plouay. Pierrick Fédrigo (Bouygues Telecom) won the French race today. Gesink
finished with the front group (39th). After the race Rabobank's sports director Frans Massen said: "Gesink and Flecha felt
good. This was therefore a good repetition if one has the Vuelta in mind."
Rabobank for Vuelta Espana 2008:
Robert Gesink, Oscar Freire, Pedro Horrillo, Juan Antonio Flecha, Mauricio Alberto Ardila Cano, Grischa Niermann, Marc
de Maar, Theo Eltink and Dmitriy Kozontchuck.
