Finding it difficult to click into racing mode after a two week period of altitude training, Robert Gesink has conceded that his chances of winning the Critérium du Dauphiné are over. The Rabobank leader finished back in 48th place on yesterday’s stage to Saint-Pierre-de-Chartreuse, dropping one minute 31 seconds to the stage winner Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Omega Pharma Lotto), and is now 43rd overall.
“It’s the first time in my life that I did not stay long in the red,” the Dutchman told L’Equipe after crossing the line. “But my team manager has said that if I had a bad day on the Tour, no one would remember if I was good on the Chartreuse in the Dauphiné.”
Indeed recent editions of the race have shown that to be the case; several riders who have performed very well at the Dauphiné have then struggled in the Tour, including last year’s winner, Janez Brajkovic (Team RadioShack).
Gesink knows that what’s important is to be riding very strongly in one month’s time, not necessarily now. That said, he still wants to get something out of the race if possible. “For the overall standings, it's over, but it may be easier to win a stage in the mountains,” he said.
The next two days will not suit him in that regard, with today’s race to Lyon most likely to go to an explosive rider such as Edvald Boasson Hagen (Sky Procycling) and tomorrow’s time trial in Grenoble appearing destined for a specialist like Tony Martin (HTC Highroad) or Bradley Wiggins (Sky Procycling).
Gesink can use these next two days to reaccustom his body to the rhythm of racing and, after that, will have chances in the mountains.