"They both said separately that they had been tricked by the other" - Robert Gesink recalls heartbreak story from 2022 Vuelta when Evenepoel and Mas denied his stage victory

The prime of Robert Gesink's professional was more than decade before the Vuelta a Espana 2022. But it seemed like then Jumbo-Visma rider would be able to enjoy one last hoorah in the 18th stage with finish on Alto del Piornal. The Dutch climber seemed to be on his way to victory but in final meters Remco Evenepoel and Enric Mas flied past the experienced rider.

In a long interview at the De Rode Lantaarn podcast, Gesink talked extensively about many things, including his first steps among pros, but also the 2022 Vuelta in which he had very good legs and seemed to be on his way to a stage win after a nice solo. But that just didn't work out, because GC contenders Remco Evenepoel and Enric Mas suddenly pulled out all the stops behind him to catch up with him.

That was of course a huge bummer for Gesink, but what happened next made it all a bit more sour for him.

"A day later Mas comes to me. He said that Evenepoel had told him that he could win if he rode for it. And Mas: 'So yes, I just rode for it. Sorry man, I'm really sorry. Remco then beats me to it at the finish line.'"

There are always two sides to a story and that was evident, because Evenepoel also came to an audience with Gesink. "Mas had barely finished his words and then Evenepoel came to me. He told me that Mas had told him that he could win the stage, as long as 'that Gesink' didn't win."

Two completely different stories, but the soap opera was continued in this year's Vuelta. The Alto del Piornal was again included in the course and apparently the whole story was still with Mas.

"Mas came to me again. He apologized again for what had happened then. That's why I tend to believe Mas a bit more than Evenepoel. But they both said separately that they had been tricked by the other."