Robert Gesink was again one of the first thirty riders to reach the line in Thursday’s sixth stage of the Tour de France. The leader of Team LottoNL-Jumbo placed 12th on the short and punchy hill in Le Havre. The Dutchman remained 14th overall.

Zdenek Stybar of Etixx-QuickStep triumphed. In the last hundred meters, the Czech attacked out of select group of riders who arrived atop of the explosive climb. 

Gesink experienced a perilous moment on the climb, but was attentive.

“I was in the front in order to prevent possible gaps and time differences, but right in front of me a group of riders crashed. Luckily, I managed to go beside past the pile-up,” Gesink said after seeing yellow jersey Tony Martin break his collarbone.

“On top, I was hoping for one final acceleration, but I just didn’t have it in me anymore.”

It was the sixth time in a row since the start in Utrecht that Gesink finished in the top 30 of the stage. “But that doesn’t mean a thing. We have some dangerous stages left.”

Bram Tankink had tipped Gesink as possible winner prior to the stage.

“Yes, of course you always have to remain optimistic. Today’s arrival was similar to the one in Québec, where Robert once managed to win. But like he said himself, in Québec there was more climbing. Today was not too bad, though, he got in the mix and finished 12th.”

Laurens ten Dam rode without his shoulder brace for the first time since his crash and rolled through the day properly.

“Today was a relatively easy day. I needed that,” Ten Dam said.

Wilco Kelderman’s back felt slightly better on Thursday.

“It was a peaceful stage and the temperatures were higher. That made things a lot easier. Let’s hope that every day my situation will improve. In the final kilometres, I let go of the pack. Getting to the finish safely and recovering was the most important thing today.” 

Sports Director Nico Verhoeven thinks that Ten Dam, Kelderman and Steven Kruijswijk will get some extra time to recover from their crashes on Friday.

“There are many teams with victims who need to recuperate, so tomorrow I expect a stage similar to today’s. The finish is flat and the sprinters will be at it again.”