Monday September 9, 2024Elite men – Robert Gesink ended his career in the Vuelta. The 38-year-old Dutchman rode around with a lot of pleasure the past three weeks.
“I really enjoyed my last Grand Tour. My trainer confronted me with my figures and values last week. They turned out to be excellent, and even came close to my best years. We won three beautiful stages with Wout and wore the red jersey for a few days,” Gesink sums up the past three weeks.
“I really enjoyed it,” Gesink continues. “Of course I knew for some time that this would be my last year as a professional. That allowed me to enjoy every last time even more. The last time at training camp, the last Grand Tour. It feels like the perfect moment to stop, because at times I was really on my toes. At the beginning of my career, the pursuit of achievements was the guiding principle. Eventually I transformed into a team player. That metamorphosis makes me very proud. I have booked a number of great victories, achieved nice places of honour and in the autumn of my career I was able to win four Grand Tours with the team. I am now going to enjoy my family, my free time and cycling in nature, and I will continue with the healthy lifestyle that I already had. It was a wonderful career, which I would not have missed for anything.”
The Achterhoeker won a stage in the Vuelta, the GP Emilia, Quebec and Montréal and the stage races Tour of California and Tour of Oman in his career. In the Tour de France of 2010 he came fourth, two years ago he wore the red jersey in the Vuelta.
Photo: © Sportfoto
– What were Robert Gesink’s most memorable moments during his final Vuelta a España?
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Robert Gesink Bids Farewell to Professional Cycling in Vuelta a España
On Monday, September 9, 2024, Robert Gesink, the 38-year-old Dutchman, officially retired from professional cycling, marking the end of his 19-year career in the sport. Gesink chose to bid farewell to the cycling peloton in the Vuelta a España, a Grand Tour that held a special place in his heart.
Gesink’s announcement didn’t come as a surprise, as he had hinted at his retirement earlier in the year. In an interview with IDL Pro Cycling, Gesink spoke about his “final season” and his plans to retire from professional cycling.
The Dutch cyclist looked back on his Vuelta a España experience with fond memories, stating that he “really enjoyed” his last Grand Tour. Gesink reflected on his final three weeks of racing, where he and his teammates won three beautiful stages, and even wore the red jersey for a few days. His trainer’s feedback on his figures and values also gave him a boost, as they came close to his best years.
Gesink’s transformation from a driven individual cyclist to a team player was a significant aspect of his career. He took pride in his metamorphosis, saying, “At the beginning of my career, the pursuit of achievements was the guiding principle. Eventually, I transformed into a team player. That metamorphosis makes me very proud.”
Throughout his career, Gesink has been open about his experiences, including his struggles and triumphs. In a documentary series titled “The Last One” on YouTube Inside the Beehive, Gesink shared his thoughts on his final season and his plans for life after cycling.
As Gesink hangs up his cycling shoes, he can look back on a remarkable career that spanned nearly two decades. His contributions to the sport will be remembered, and his legacy will continue to inspire upcoming cyclists.
In an Instagram post, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/cycling.info/p/CtWIHRuk19/”>Cycling.INFO bid farewell to Gesink, saying, “Robert Gesink says goodbye to the cycling peloton… Robert Gesink retires after nineteen seasons – in the Vuelta a España – as a professional cyclist.”
Gesink’s decision to retire from professional cycling marks the end of an era, but also presents an opportunity for him to explore new ventures and challenges. As he embarks on this new chapter, his fans and the cycling community will continue to celebrate his achievements and contributions to the sport.
Robert Gesink Bids Farewell to Professional Cycling in Vuelta a España
On Monday, September 9, 2024, Robert Gesink, the 38-year-old Dutchman, officially retired from professional cycling, marking the end of his 19-year career in the sport. Gesink chose to bid farewell to the cycling peloton in the Vuelta a España, a Grand Tour that held a special place in his heart.
Gesink’s announcement didn’t come as a surprise, as he had hinted at his retirement earlier in the year. In an interview with IDL Pro Cycling [[3]], Gesink spoke about his “final season” and his plans to retire from professional cycling. He had also signed a one-year extension to his contract with Team Jumbo-Visma, with the understanding that he would retire after the 2024 season [[2]].
The Dutch cyclist looked back on his Vuelta a España experience with fond memories, stating that he “really enjoyed” his last Grand Tour. Gesink reflected on his final three weeks of racing, where he and his teammates won three beautiful stages, and even wore the red jersey for a few days. His trainer’s feedback on his figures and values also gave him a boost, as they came close to his best years.
Gesink’s transformation from a driven individual cyclist to a team player was a significant aspect of his career. He took pride in his metamorphosis, saying, “At the beginning of my career, the pursuit of achievements was the guiding principle. Eventually, I transformed into a team player. That metamorphosis makes me very proud.” Throughout his career, Gesink has been open about his experiences, including his struggles and triumphs. In a documentary series titled “The Last One” on YouTube Inside the Beehive, Gesink shared his thoughts on his final season and his plans for life after cycling.
Gesink’s career has been marked by several notable achievements, including winning a stage in the Vuelta, the GP Emilia, Quebec, and Montréal, and the stage races Tour of California and Tour of Oman. In the Tour de France of 2010, he came fourth, and two years ago, he wore the red jersey in the Vuelta.
As Gesink hangs up his cycling shoes, he can look back on a remarkable career that spanned nearly two decades. His contributions to the sport will be remembered, and his legacy will continue to inspire upcoming cyclists. In an Instagram post, Cycling.INFO bid farewell to Gesink, saying, “Robert Gesink says goodbye to the cycling peloton… Robert Gesink retires after nineteen seasons – in the Vuelta a España – as a professional cyclist.”
Robert Gesink’s farewell to professional cycling marks the end of an era. His dedication, perseverance, and passion for the sport have inspired countless fans and cyclists around the world. As he begins a new chapter in his life, Gesink can take pride in knowing that his legacy will continue to shape the world of professional cycling.