Robert Gesink closed 11th in the Italian fall classic, Il Lombardia today in Como. Team LottoNL-Jumbo’s leader profited from the strong performances of Dennis van Winden, Timo Roosen and George Bennett. Italian Champion Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) won the race.

“We rode a good race today,” Sports Director Merijn Zeeman said after the finish. “We can’t reward ourselves in the end, unfortunately, because Robert Gesink finished just out of the top ten, but I’m satisfied with the way we rode today.

“Dennis van Winden was part of the early breakaway. He escaped with the idea to support Robert later on and he was able to do that, so that was a good thing.

“At some point, a group of 11 riders escaped with Robert and Timo in it. That was a nice situation. It was strong that Timo was able to be there in that part of the race. Shortly afterwards, the race exploded and the peloton fell into pieces. George Bennett was able to hold on with the first group for a long time. That proves that he took a big step ahead this season.”

Robert Gesink says he thinks the team rode at a very high level today and he also pointed out his own good form so far into the 2015 campaign, which is coming to an end shortly.

“We showed a high level today,” Robert Gesink said. “I was strong myself, as well. It was a beautiful race and I was in front the whole time. I just wasn’t strong enough to follow the best riders, but those men are outstanding.

"I wanted to finish top-10 today and I didn’t, unfortunately. I was focussing on the Canadian races in the last months. To finish top-10 in a race like this you have to be perfectly prepared and I wasn’t. I’ll take that with me into the next year. I have to pick my targets very carefully and prepare myself accurately for them afterwards. That’s an essential part of riding at this level.”