“His Tour selection is getting close” - Intermarché-Wanty DS Aike Visbeek on Gerben Thijssen’s strong start to the season

Having taken the victory at the Trofeo Palma last month, Gerben Thijssen backed up that result by winning the opening stage at the Volta ao Algarve and is now potentially looking at a call-up for this year’s Tour de France.

In an interview with Het Laatste Nieuws, Intermarché-Wanty sports director Aike Visbeek said “his Tour selection is getting closer, but we should not celebrate too early. He must first show consistency in the positioning of the sprints”.

Despite winning many races in Belgium last year, including the Bredene Koksijde Classic, Thijssen often struggled for results outside of his home country. However, he has already won in both Spain and Portugal this season.

The Intermarché-Wanty rider is now setting his sights on a Grand Tour victory at the Giro d’Italia, as he has stated that “the plan at the moment is to go 100 percent for the Giro. There I have to show that I am worthy of the team's trust. Winning a Giro stage is my wildest dream this spring”.