While everybody speaks about the strong Spanish, Italian and Australian teams, there are other candidates for Olympic gold
as well. And with a mamximum of only 5 riders for each team, it will be hard to control the race. Almost nobody speaks about
Robert Gesink, but the Beijing course seems to be made for the Dutch young gun.
Gesink did not start at this years Tour de France. His Rabobank team decided to build-up Gesink carefully. Gesink will
make his Grand Tour debut at this years Vuelta a Espana. But at the moment Gesink is looking forward to Saturday's Olympic
road race. Gesink told sportwereld.nl: "Its beautiful to be part of the Olympic Games but its going to be devastating.
Its not an easy circuit."
22 year old Gesink said it was no problem for him that Rabobank's team management decided that it was to early
for Gesink to race the Tour. Gesink said: "It was good for me." Gesink continued: "I had a pefect preparation for the
Olympics. I am fresh. I don't think its a disadvantage not to ride the Tour. In my case it probebly was an advantage. If you
are older and stronger than I am now it might be good to have the Tour de France in your legs but for me it would have been
to much."
Gesink enjoys to be part of the games. "Its beautiful to be part of it," Gesink said. Gesink think its a pitty that Thomas
Dekker doesn't start at the Olympics but thats about all he has to say about the subject. "I am here to get the maximum out
for me," Gesink said.
Gesink will get all the support he needs from the Dutch road team with Laurens Ten Dam, Stef Clement, Niki Terpstra and
Karsten Kroon. Gesink likes the Olympic circuit. Gesink said: "That climb in that lap that we are doing seven times is nasty.
The finish is difficult as well. Because of the circumstances its important to drink a lot." Gesink continued:"And ofcourse you
have to take care that you are at the front if the right group takes off."
Gesink is sure that its going to be a hard battle. But the young gun is confident. Gesink said: "If I have a good day its
a circuit with good prospects for me."
