Robert Gesink has joined the list of big names who could end up disputing the Tour of Italy next season, with the Rabobank rider considering joining the likes of Bradley Wiggins in the pre-Tour event.
In recent years the number of competitors doing both Grand Tours has dropped but with the Giro now following a more measured parcours, balancing out the difficulties so as not to leave the riders completely worn out afterwards, there is a possibility that he could elect to ride.
“The Tour de France in 2013 is a goal, but I also want to see how well the route of the Giro d'Italia looks,” Gesink told Telesport. “It is possibly an option to ride it.”
Gesink has never before competed in the Italian race but after some bad luck staking his seasons around the Tour de France, he is considering a new approach. He crashed heavily in last year’s Tour and eventually withdrew; he also crashed in 2011 and finished outside the top thirty. To date fifth in 2010 is his best result in the race.
Providing he has better luck in Italy, Gesink has the potential to aim for a podium slot or higher. When on form, he is a very strong climber and also a surprisingly good time trialist for his build.
The 2012 Tour of California winner recently decided not to compete in the Amstel Curaçao Race. The 26-year-old has said that he needs to take a mental break, being faced with the shock and disappointment of Rabobank’s withdrawal from the sport.
“Rabobank stopping has had a big effect on me,” he admitted. “For myself, I am taking the time to deal with that. While in recent years I have already used this period [the end of the season - ed.] to take a step back from cycling and turn my thoughts to other things in life, I have that feeling more strongly now. I will have a great holiday with my wife and then will work towards the new season.”
While Rabobank has withdrawn from cycling over the Lance Armstrong/US Postal Service affair and what it says that means for cycling, the bank has agreed to fund a ‘white label’ team next year. It means that the budget will be there to enable the squad to continue, but that it will race in unbranded team kit.
Bike supplier Giant is one of those considering stepping in as a new title sponsor, but there are also reports that other companies could also be interested.