"He can’t be left out" - Not Jonas Vingegaard, not Primoz Roglic, who was Robert Gesnik's best teammate?
Cycling
At 38 years old, Robert Gesink brought the curtain down on his
professional cycling career following the 2024 Vuelta a Espana. Known as one of
the most reliable and selfless domestiques of his generation, Gesink retired
after playing a pivotal role in the rise of Team Visma | Lease a Bike.
In an interview with Wieler Revue, Gesink reflected
on his career and shared his ultimate cycling dream team. With a laugh, he
acknowledged that he could just choose the entirety of the 2023 Jumbo-Visma
squad from the Vuelta. That team featured the winner, Sepp Kuss, alongside
Jonas Vingegaard and Primoz Roglic, who together achieved an unprecedented
clean sweep of the podium. Jumbo-Visma's dominance extended across the entire
season, with the team winning all three Grand Tours in 2023, achieving one of
the greatest seasons in cycling history.
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However, one rider stood out as indispensable in Gesink’s
eyes: Wout van Aert.
“Of course, he can’t be left out,” Gesink said of his former
teammate. “The man can be used in so many areas. Uphill, a crowbar in the race,
a team player. What description doesn’t fit him? Every day he is fully
motivated. You sometimes have those rides where you are focused on surviving
the day. You don’t want to get hurt and then go for it a stage later.
Wout van Aert struggled with injuries in 2024, but still shone at the Vuelta a Espana
“But when you have Wout with you, you are on your toes every
day. Then a lap like that flies by. He really keeps everyone on their toes,
because in principle he can win every day. As team management, you have to make
clear choices. One day is for Wout and the next day for someone else.”
Gesink’s retirement marks the end of a remarkable career
that spanned nearly two decades. While he spent much of his later years
supporting others, he also enjoyed his own moments of glory. In 2016, he
claimed a brilliant stage win at the Vuelta a Espana, and earlier in his
career, Gesink triumphed at the Giro dell’Emilia in consecutive years, 2009 and
2010. Above all, he was one of the most popular riders in the peloton, and will
certainly be missed as he moves into gravel racing.
Fin MajorCycling Journalist
Fin Major is a UK-based writer at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2024. He is the site’s main writer for FAQs and evergreen explainers and has written around 2,000 pieces for the platform. Alongside this work, he focuses on in-depth analysis and covers the biggest races on the calendar, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, providing clear context around performance trends, tactics, and key storylines.
In his reporting, Fin uses reputable data sources such as ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. Outside of writing, Fin is an active cyclist, which supports his practical understanding of the sport and its demands.
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