RABOBANK’S GESINK – A PODIUM FINISH IN THE VUELTA?

Team director says it’s possible

Will Robert Gesink make it onto the podium of in the 2009 Vuelta a España?

That is the dream result for the Rabobank Team, even if they have officially downplayed expectations about Gesink’s chances of a podium finish in Madrid on September 20th. “I’ve got the feeling that a top three result is possible for Robert,” argues veteran Rabobank sports director Adri Van Houwelingen. “Why? Because if the Tour of Italy this year was basically decided in the time trials, the Tour of Spain will be decided in the mountains. And Robert is the best climber of his generation—so we have to be optimistic.”

Three particularly difficult stages in southern Spain, plus two other summit finishes in the race should suit Gesink. Even though he was forced to abandon the 2009 Tour de France due to a crash and wrist injury, Gesink is healed and ready for the Vuelta, says Van Houwelingen. “He was seventh in last year’s Vuelta, so we know he’s got the right consistency for the grand tours. Now, it’s a question of moving up a level.”

Expectations are high for the Dutch-based team, as the Vuelta’s first three stages are in Holland. “We’re under extra pressure to produce some great results,” said Van Houwelingen. “But we’ve got the team to respond to that pressure. We’ll be looking to Lars Boom to turn in a good ride in the prologue on Saturday and from then on, we’ll be working stage wins and a good overall. Oscar (Freire) has a great chance in at least five or six stages, particularly the tougher ones where the pure sprinters will get dropped.”

Team Rabobank enjoys the advantage of being backed by Giant, the world’s most technically advanced bike maker. Riding Giant in 2009, the team has seen wins like Denis Menchov’s commanding victory in the Giro d’Italia, and Juan Manuel Garate’s exhilarating triumph on the hardest stage in the Tour de France, to the summit of Mont Ventoux.

On road stages the team will ride Giant TCR Advanced SL frames, which are seemingly purpose-built for exactly this type of racing with incredible pedaling stiffness, amazingly low weight, and a compliant ride. And in the prologue and the time trials, Rabobank’s pros will be riding the world’s fastest bike, the Trinity Advanced SL. This hyper-engineered machine has gone through five generations of prototypes since its debut in 2008, winning national titles, grand tour podiums, and world championships.

Team Rabobank for the Vuelta a España: Robert Gesink, Koos Moerenhout, Bram Tankink, Pieter Weening, Tom Leezer, Lars Boom, Oscar Freire, Juan Manuel Garate, and Paul Martens.
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