Robert Gesink stormed into the top 10 of the general classification at the Tour de Suisse on Sunday thanks to a strong time trial on the stage race’s final day. Team LottoNL-Jumbo’s Dutch GC rider set the 10th-fastest time in Bern and moved up from 11th to ninth overall.

Giant-Alpecin’s Tom Dumoulin was the fastest on the 38.4-kilometre course, the Dutchman setting a time of 48 minutes and 37 seconds — 1’32” faster than Gesink. Slovenian Simon Spilak of Katusha placed second, at 18,” but won the stage race overall.

Robert Gesink
“Twice top 10, I think that’s pretty good,” Gesink said after the time trial. “Of course, I would have liked to do a little better, but during my altitude training camp I had to skip a few rides because of fatigue. I lacked some sharpness at the beginning of the race and, therefore, I wasn’t able to fight for victory.

“The real effect of my altitude training will really kick in later on. I’ve had big impulse here in Switzerland; I gave all I had everyday and in the Tour I will benefit from that.”

Dotting the I’s
Gesink will spend the next two weeks focusing on details in the run-up to the Tour de France, doing a recon on the race’s cobblestone stage and testing himself on a number of race’s Pyrenean cols. He won’t participate in the Dutch national road race.
 
“I always focus on the next goal. That was the Tour of Switzerland. Now, I’ll turn my sights towards the Tour. I have gained confidence and have improved. I’m going to recharge my battery again. The Tour, for me the most important event of the year, is extra special for me this year because of the Grand Départ in The Netherlands.”
 
Nico Verhoeven
Sports Director Nico Verhoeven was happy about the steps Gesink and Laurens ten Dam made in Switzerland.
 
“Robert’s 10th place in the time trial indicates he has had a good tour. His top form is close and that’s a nice prospect towards the Tour. Laurens struggled in the run-up to the Tour de Suisse and was just not good enough yet to be meaningful in the general classification, although he was able to help Robert in the mountains a number of times. Last year, his preparation for the Tour wasn’t exactly the best, either, but he managed to finish in the top 10, nevertheless.”

Team spirit
Verhoeven saw more encouraging signs in the shadow of Gesink and Ten Dam. “Tom Van Asbroeck and Mike Teunissen have bravely defended themselves and made progress. That is positive for their development. It gives them confidence they can play a role in a race like this in the future. Above all, team spirit has been good all week.”