Having undergone heart surgery in April, Robert Gesink faced his first big test for a while in the Tour de Pologne and the Dutchman passed the exam. Despite a slightly disappointing final time trial, he finished the race in 8th and his team is convinced that he will be ready for the Vuelta.

Robert Gesink secured a top-10 overall in his comeback race at the 71st Tour de Pologne in what was a solid week of racing for the Belkin Pro Cycling TEAM. 

Gesink was 47th in a 25-kilometre time trial to close out the six-day Polish race Saturday in Krakow, and finished eighth overall behind winner Rafal Majka (Tinkoff-Saxo). Rick Flens led Belkin with 43rd in the final stage.

"I think we did as well as we could. The time trial wasn't great for us, but we did the maximum," said Belkin Sports Director Michiel Elijzen. "We won a stage, and we’re in the top-10 overall, I think that's a good week."
 

Gesink was satisfied with eighth overall, an encouraging result for the Dutch climber in his first stage race since under going heart surgery in April.

"To have this result after a really long time racing is very nice for Robert," Elijzen said. "This is a World Tour race, and he has been able to stay with the best in the climbs. That's encouraging for the upcoming races."
 

The Polish tour also saw Dutch sprinter Theo Bos win stage three in a bunch sprint, just the second time the former world track racing champion has won a World Tour-level race since switching to road racing in 2008.

"That was a nice win for Theo. We've been working real hard with him all season, so it's satisfying that we could deliver the big win," Elijzen said. "Theo will race the Tour of Britain next."
 

Gesink will next race the Vuelta a Espana (August 23-September 14), where he will share leadership duties with Wilco Kelderman and Laurens ten Dam.

"I think Robert can improve a little more, and he should do quite well in the Vuelta," Elijzen said. "He will go with real ambitions, and with Wilco and Laurens, I think we can do a good Vuelta. This Polish tour was a nice comeback for him."