🇪🇸 #LaVuelta24 There he is. Robert crosses the line. It's the finish of eighteen beautiful years. 👏🏼 Today it's your day, Robert. Enjoy it to the fullest! 👑
"I was everywhere at once"; brilliant plan momentarily distracted Gesink before final race
CyclingSunday, 08 September 2024 at 23:21
The Spanish broadcast may not have fully grasped it on Sunday, but Robert Gesink’s career has truly come to an end. He, who kept Dutch cycling fans on the edge of their seats all summer and was crucial in building Jumbo-Visma, rode his final competitive kilometers in Madrid at the age of 38. A report from the Spanish capital!
On Gran Via, mother Ria Gesink and a few close family members are waiting for the Dutchman. The journalists know that Brandon McNulty, the winner of the opening time trial, started before him, and we need to be alert from the moment the American champion crosses the line.
However, the stars and stripes are nowhere to be seen when a man in yellow crosses the finish line: Gesink. Only a small portion of the Spanish crowd realizes that someone who has been a professional cyclist for 17 years has just completed his final meters, and the occasional chant of "Gezzzink" is heard. But that’s what makes it so special.
Read more below the video.
Upon arrival, Gesink looks around a bit bewildered before his mother is the first to approach him. “That’s it,” the cyclist exclaims, and shortly after adds another one-liner, “I’m glad it’s over.” Two statements from the Achterhoeker, now living in Andorra, that could easily be put on a plaque.
After the initial hugs, the Visma | Lease a Bike rider answers questions from both Spanish and Dutch-speaking journalists. “It was the worst time trial of my life,” Gesink laughs. “I knew it didn’t matter anymore, but you still want to get to the finish quickly. By the way, I did overtake Brandon! The winner of the first stage, I think they must have paid him to ride badly.” (laughs)
“A time trial requires concentration, but I was everywhere at once,” he explains, partly due to his children. “They had the brilliant idea to have my kids handle the radio, so it was constantly: ‘Go, Daddy, Daddy, go, good corner Daddy, come on, Daddy!’” he laughs. “That’s not good for focus, haha. I did the reconnaissance, but I had no idea about those corners anymore. In that respect, it was a major disaster.”
Upon arrival, Gesink looks around a bit dazed, and his mother is the first to approach him. “That’s it,” the cyclist says, before adding another line shortly after, “I’m glad it’s over.” Two comments from the Achterhoeker, now living in Andorra, that could easily be framed on a plaque.
After the initial hugs, the Visma | Lease a Bike rider answers questions from Spanish and Dutch-speaking journalists. “It was the worst time trial of my life,” Gesink laughs. “I knew it didn’t matter anymore, but you still want to get to the finish quickly. By the way, I did overtake Brandon! The winner of the first stage—I think they must have paid him to ride badly.” (laughs)
Read more below the photo.
Gesink proud of the transformation he has undergone
And now? Back to the Achterhoek? No, Gesink has, in part, sold his heart to Andorra, where he plans to embrace the good life once again. "Of course, I had known for some time that this would be my last year as a professional. This allowed me to savor every last moment. The last training camp, the last Grand Tour. It feels like the perfect time to stop, as I was really pushing myself at times."
"In the beginning of my career, pursuing achievements was my guiding principle. Eventually, I evolved into a team player. That transformation makes me very proud. I’ve achieved some beautiful victories, secured impressive placements, and in the autumn of my career, I’ve won four Grand Tours with the team. Now, I’m going to enjoy my family, free time, and cycling in nature, and continue with the healthy lifestyle I’ve always maintained. It has been a wonderful career that I wouldn’t have traded for anything."
Amen to that, as interviews are replaced by hugs from his wife and children, who are dubbed 'little coaches' for the occasion. Farewell and all the best, Robert!
Il Lombardia 2024
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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