Robert Gesink showed us that he is up there as a contender for the Tour de France along with Cadel Evans and Bradley Wiggins.
His dominating performance in the stage to Mt Baldy at the Tour of California told us just how good his form is this year.
He left everyone behind as he powered to his first victory since breaking his leg last during training last October.
Gesink has now also confirmed his time trialling prowess with his win in the Tour of Oman time trial last year. His fourth place in the time trial at the Tour of California was especially good, considering he came close to the time trial specialists Dave Zabriskie and Tejay Van Garderen.
This will put him in a good position against Evans and Wiggins, as Gesink is a much better climber than the veteran duo. If Gesink can put more than a minute into them it will be very hard for Evans and Wiggins to use their tactic of catch up in the time trial.
With his form looking good, Gesink’s main aim must now be staying upright in the first week. In both 2009 and 2011, Gesink’s race has been impaired by crashes, breaking his wrist and abandoning in ‘09 and falling heavily early on in ‘11.
With this year’s Tour starting in Belgium, crashes will be expected on the narrow roads the country is famous for. Once again Gesink will find himself fighting not to fall off during these nervous stages.
Hopefully the experience of his Rabobank team will guide Gesink through these tricky stages.
With Andy Schleck being ruled out of this year’s Tour because of too many time trial kilometres, Gesink is defiantly looking like the favourite for the Tour with his explosive climbing and solid time trialling.
Gesink is definitely in the best form of his career and the Dutchman could very well be standing on the top step of the podium in Paris come July, if all goes to plan.
dom25
Roar Rookie
Another year another crash!
DanMan
Guest
We will see in 2 months but I don't think one stage victory in a smallish race with a diluted field is too much cause for concern from the rest of the GC guys. I mean, someone had to win AToC, someone who is reasonable in TT and climbing - therefore R.Gesink. The 2010 Tour de Suisse may have had A Schleck, L. Armstrong etc but everyone knows that these are the types of riders that concentrate 100% on the TDF. So again, someone had to win. The rest weren't as serious about that race as they had bigger fish to fry.
dom25
Roar Rookie
In the 2010 Tour De Suisse he beat many top riders including Andy Schleck, Joaquin Rodriguez and Lance Armstrong in a mountianous stage. He then went on to finish 5th in the Tour (4th officially if you don't count Contador). Also Evans and Wiggins have never been one of the best climbers and on numerous occasions have lost a lot of time on the high mountain stages.
Sean Lee
Expert
We haven't seen the best of Gesink at the Grand Tours yet because of injury and crashes. He is a talent, but I'm not convinced he can match it with the very best on the biggest of the climbs. Evans was fantastic last year and if things go in his favour this year, could double up given the amount of TTs. I'm still not sure about Wiggins although you have to hand it to him, he has become a very versatile rider and is a definite threat.
DanMan
Guest
For sure Gesink is a threat, but I don't think you can say he is a "much better climber than the veteren duo". Gesink is unproven in the big stage races - he is there about but Cadel was as strong if not stronger than everyone on each mountain stage in the last TDF - not as explosive as your Schlecks and Contadors but holds a fast pace for a long time. Cadel etc will look to mark Andy in the hills. If Andy cranks the pace Cadel will stay, weaker opposition will drop away and then Cadel will destroy Andy in the TT km's.
Jack
Guest
With the course set up and the Olympics looming shortly after, this year's tour de france is going to be interesting to say the least. The winner might certainly be someone like Gesink or some other rider that wouldn't generally be considered as a force.
Nick
Guest
I personally hadn't heard of Gesink before this year's Tour of California. I'm not sure he'll win this years Tour de France, but I'll be keeping an eye on him for sure.
Darryl Kotyk
Roar Pro
I agree with you and what Joe said in his article about Gesink. He's one to watch for in the TdF and it will be interesting to see what happens. Oh man, it's going to be an exciting year for grand tours.