"To wear the red jersey tomorrow is a dream come true" - Robert Gesink

A pro rider since 2005, few would've expected, specially Robert Gesink himself that he would be leading a Grand Tour at this point of his career. Today is one of the most important days in his career as he leads the Vuelta a Espana.

"I can not believe it. I am grateful to the boys, they were so bizarrely strong. I am very grateful to be able to wear the red jersey, that is certainly one of the highlights of my career," Gesink said in a post-race interview. With Jumbo-Visma riding the 23 kilometers the fastest on today's opening team time-trial, Gesink was allowed to, as a home rider, to cross the line first.

On his 16th season with the Dutch team, Gesink has seen the rise and fall of several generations. He himself has been a leader of the team many years ago, but has settled with a domestique role in recent years, with a lot of experience and a key part of the team's Grand Tour structure. He's put on the red jersey today in Utrecht, a very meaningful gesture to the 36-year old.

“But of course you have to finish it. Anything can happen along the way, but the team certainly had a chance to win. We have such strong guys in this squad and it looked good," he said. The Dutch team took 13 seconds on INEOS Grenadiers, and it was also enough to give Primoz Roglic an early lead in the GC fight, making for a perfect day for the home team.

“Or that the plan was to go that fast? The plan was mainly to stay with Primož Roglič and the other strong guys!” My job is normally to help the team and Primož. This is a very nice way of them to thank me for my help over the years. To wear the red jersey tomorrow is a dream come true," he concluded.

Although he will likely loose it when the race arrives in Spain, he will at least tomorrow have the red jersey on his shoulders, a proper reward for years of hard work.