Rabobank’s big hope for the end of season Italian Classics, Robert Gesink, had a bad crash in training today and has been taken to hospital in Doetinchem for treatment. According to team press officer Luuc Eisenga, a fracture to his upper right leg has been confirmed and he will be operated on tomorrow.
Gesink was one of the strongest riders in the two recent Canadian WorldTour races, netting second in the GP Cycliste de Quebec and riding aggressively in the GP Cycliste de Montreal. Although the forthcoming world championships do not suit his characteristics due to the flat course, he was due to be part of the team there. The rider was targeting the Tour of Lombardy plus the preceding Classic races.
Those plans seem out of the question now, and the Dutchman could be facing at least two months away from the bike.
Today’s news is the second blow to Gesink in a year. Last season he won his second straight Giro dell'Emilia, one of his final preparation races prior to the Giro di Lombardia, but the following day his father was badly injured in a crash in the Bart Brentjens Challenge.
His son cancelled his participation in Lombardia to be with him. Sadly his father passed away two weeks after the crash.
Gesink had a solid 2011, winning two stages plus the overall in the Tour of Oman, netting second in both Tirreno Adriatico and the GP Cycliste de Quebec and netting third overall in the Tour of the Basque Country. His Tour de France was unfortunately hampered by a crash, but he showed good form more recently and seemed set for a strong end of season.
His priority now will be to recover as quickly as possible from this new setback.