Gesink and Van Aert push hard in Spain: "I've got an illness, and it's a very specific one"
CyclingTuesday, 19 November 2024 at 14:47
Both riders may be pursuing different goals these days, but neither can resist the 'sweet suffering' of cycling. For Wout van Aert, though, it seems to be a different kind of struggle, while Robert Gesink was surrounded by good company.
"I’ve got an illness, and it’s a very specific one," Van Aert captioned his ride on Strava (in Dutch). What exactly this illness is remains unclear. Is it the cyclo-cross bug, racing fever, or perhaps a nod to the 'rat sickness' from his attempt at the Col des Rates? Or is the Belgian genuinely under the weather?
Earlier this year, Van Aert’s Strava post with a squirrel emoji hinted at something similar, referencing his appearance on The Masked Singer in Belgium. What's he hinting at this time? Tackling a ride with three mountain climbs and 1800 meters of elevation while feeling sick is far from wise. Could it really be the cyclo-cross bug?
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Gesink has "bad-decisions syndrome"
Speaking of bad decisions, Gesink has only been in cycling retirement for a few months, and the bad decisions are already starting to surface. First a 'Sepp's Sufferfest Sunday' and now a tough gravel ride. The well-known black hole after a cycling career?
Just kidding, of course, because this bad idea came with a wink. "Bad decisions, best stories," Gesink wrote on his Instagram. "152km of gravel from Velodrom Barcelona to Hors Catégorie Girona (a restaurant, ed.) was long and hard but good company and great beers & burgers made up for it! Thanks family!" By the looks of it, Gesink is thoroughly enjoying his cycling retirement. And fair is fair: when bad decisions produce such great stories, and have such wonderful outcomes... Keep them coming!
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Latest Comments
- Van Aert is really handsome. He can influence me all day! Ditto for Philipsen. Why do you think many of us love cycling?: to see heroic attempts at climbing mountains at high altitudes or to watch speedsters sprint for the finish line or to watch a human being ride at break neck speed down a tricky descent? No, it's all about their lean physiques and muscular legs. (apologies for objectifying these dedicated and amazing athletes).BarwonHeadsUp25-10-2024
- It is unfortunate that the author can't feel the joy that Pogacar brings to the sport and his fans who are legion and I for one feel lucky to have watched such a memorable performance and historic season From the Strada until yesterday with multiple wins in stages in both tours and beyond dominance in the World's. He is proud to wear the Rainbow stripes, shows his leadership to protect his fellows and is as courteous and sportsman-like as the sport allows. He goes early to not have to respond to each attack as all the rest would make him do it. Any racer who could would do the same. Don't "grow tired" of greatness as it is always fleeting.ccrider13-10-2024
- What load of rubbish. Pog is likely a once in a generation cyclist, the like of which hasn't been seen since 'the Cannibal '. How many people were complaining that Merckx was making racing predictable? I remember this year's World RR as one of the most exciting I've watched. Mainly BECAUSE Pog was the favourite and launched what everyone thought (Pog included) was a suicidal attack with 80km to go. For the next 2 hours, I was on the edge of my seat thinking "this is too much, even for Pog". Maybe Zonnefeld prefers the snooze-fest that is a bunch sprint? Like most people I know, I can't watch two hours of the bunch riding very fast... I wait for the final 5km and watch just the sprint. In any event, most races are won from a sprint or lone break. What difference does it make who makes the lone break? Ultimately, the other contenders will have to figure out a way to beat Pog. Even if that means collaboration between teams. It's going to be an exciting few seasons, until the next Pog arrives on the scene. If this is boring, heaven knows what exciting looks like!Michael513-10-2024
- This is not a gravel race. UCI fail, from the surface they are on to team tactics. In what country was the first "gravel race" in what country is the most popular gravel race? Go with the race model that created the discipline.
Barnes127411-10-2024 - And don't forget he has now won 4 of the big 10 races (Grand tours, Monuments and WC/OG) in one year with a chance to make that 5. (5 has only been done once before)Joostmehrtens05-10-2024