This year Belkin have placed a lot of emphasis on the WorldTour but partly due to bad luck they have not had too much success in the most prestigious race series. They plan to turn things around when they line up both of their Tour de France captains Robert Gesink and Bauke Mollema in the Vuelta al Pais Vasco which kicks off on Monday.

The Belkin Pro Cycling TEAM is determined to bounce back in the Vuelta Ciclista al Pais Vasco after some disappointing results in other WorldTour races. With Robert Gesink and Bauke Mollema, the team is aiming for a good overall in Spain’s Tour of the Basque Country. 

“This is a WorldTour race and so it’s a major goal for us,” said Sports Director Merijn Zeeman. “The WorldTour is an absolute priority this year. So far we’ve had varying degrees of success. In Paris-Nice and the Tour of Catalonia, we missed out on good overall results because of bad luck. It’s clear that we will be looking for a result in Basque Country. The GC is our priority, but we will look for chances on a stage win every day.” 

Zeeman knows how difficult the Vuelta Ciclista al Pais Vasco is, so he said that the riders should, as they always try, to work as a team.

“We will have to be sharp and focused every day. We really need all the boys for that.” 

Robert Gesink is fully recovered after he was forced to give up in Tirreno-Adriatico.

“I feel good, and really look forward to race again. Pais Vasco is a beautiful race and several of us have won here in the past, which tells me that there are possibilities for us. We have a good game plan and are very ambitious, but we are realistic. We realise that we are aiming at a big target.” 

During past editions, Gesink rode at his best. In 2011, he finished third in the overall, just like Bauke Mollema did one year later.

“This is one of the most beautiful areas in Spain. Cycling is extremely popular in this region. A lot of fans always show up and they all know the riders. They really respect us, which is nice to see. It always gives me a boost.” 
 

Stef Clement, Jack Bobridge, Robert Gesink, Jonathan Hivert, Paul Martens, Bauke Mollema, Lars Petter Nordhaug and David Tanner.