Robert Gesink moved up in the overall of the Tour de France on Saturday thanks to 19th place in the eighth stage of the Tour de France. The leader of Team LottoNL-Jumbo is now 11th.

Alexis Vuillermoz of AG2R-La Mondiale won the stage, finishing on the Mûr-de-Bretagne. The Frenchman finished five seconds ahead of Dan Martin (Garmin-Cannondale). A group of GC riders including Gesink finished ten seconds behind the 26-year-old winner.

No friends
Gesink started the climb from a good position after being dropped off at the front by his team-mates. “We didn’t make any friends on the way to the climb, it was a real battle, but we will talk about on Tuesday,” Gesink suggested with a smile.

Deliver a surprise
“I wasn’t good enough to try something else, but I’m satisfied with this result,” the Dutchman continued. “I want to keep going like this over the next two weeks and deliver a surprise on a super day,” Gesink added.

Verhoeven hopeful
Nico Verhoeven looked back on a fine day on top of the Mûr-de-Bretagne. “Robert finished in the group of favourites and that was the first goal of the day. Laurens ten Dam improved and Wilco Kelderman is doing better as well, although he’s not yet fully fit. We are hopeful regarding the team time trial, however.”

Kelderman admitted his recovery is proceeding steadily after the eighth stage. “I feel a little better every day.”

Team time trial
On Sunday, the teams face a 28-kilometre team time trial, starting in Plumelec and finishing in Vannes. “We have some guys who are still recovering from crashes, but I think we can ride a good team time trial,” Jos van Emden said.

“My fifth place in Utrecht doesn’t create additional pressure. An individual time trial is something very different. That’s about a steady and high pace. In a TTT, you’re riding with others and you have to accelerate at certain moments. It’s like riding in a breakaway.”