Rabobank's hope for a second Grand Tour win this season
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Rabobank leader Robert Gesink and Bram Tankink cycle in front of the Rabobank team during the preparations around Assen.(Image credit: AFP)
Robert Gesink has made a move and gone off the front! Okay, so the Dutch rider was actually taking part in a team training ride, but we're sure he's thinking about a move in the weeks ahead.(Image credit: AFP)
Robert Gesink (Rabobank) pushes the pace.(Image credit: Isabelle Duchesne)
Robert Gesink (Rabobank)(Image credit: Isabelle Duchesne)
Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne) crosses the line ahead of David de la Fuente (Fuji-Servetto), Cadel Evans (Silence-Lotto), Robert Gesink (Rabobank) and Ivan Basso (Liquigas)(Image credit: Sirotti)
Robert Gesink (Rabobank) on the attack with Ezequiel Mosquera.(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)
Robert Gesink (Rabobank) went on the attack with Ezequiel Mosquera.(Image credit: Lavuelta.com)
Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne), Robert Gesink (Rabobank) and Ivan Basso (Liquigas) chased together.(Image credit: sirott)
Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne), Robert Gesink (Rabobank) and Ivan Basso (Liquigas) couldn't catch the two off the front.(Image credit: sirott)
Ivan Basso (Liquigas) and Robert Gesink (Rabobank)(Image credit: sirott)
Robert Gesink (Rabobank) leads Ivan Basso (Liquigas) across the finish.(Image credit: sirott)
Robert Gesink (Rabobank) and Ezequiel Mosquera (Xacobeo Galacia)(Image credit: Sirotti)
Robert Gesink (Rabobank) on a mission to pull back time(Image credit: Sirotti)
Robert Gesink (Rabobank) crosses the finish line(Image credit: Sirotti)
Robert Gesink (Rabobank) tried in vain to move away from Valverde(Image credit: Sirotti)
Robert Gesink came into this year's Vuelta a España widely tipped as one of the best climbers at the race. The man himself was happy to accept the title, but played down his chances as a contender for overall.
Fast forward two weeks and Gesink's self-assessment was clearly a conservative one. By the end of the second week of the race his dogged determination and alpine ablity made him look a pretty solid fixture in the top-three overall.
Click here for an image gallery of Robert Gesink's Vuelta a España.
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