The best Dutchman in the GC is Robert Gesink. After 16 stages, the leader of LottoNL-Jumbo is seventh, 6.23 behind Chris Froome. In the final week, he hopes to move up. "It can go either way," he tells ANP.

"I now know that you must be realistic and shouldn't speculate too much," said Gesink who sees opportunities to advance at the expense of Geraint Thomas and Tejay van Garderen ."But I look at myself and am happy with the place that I have now."

For now, all the top riders are still in the race which is different from last year. "If you remember that the Tour favorites all have managed to stay on their bikes and get this far, I think it is a great achievement," he said about his 7th place. "However, a disadvantage of riding for GC is that your position is only worth something when you have crossed the finish line in Paris."

Gesink now goes into four stages in the Alps starting with the ride to Pra Loup. 

"I definitely plan to attack. You must have a very good day and get the space," said the 29-year-old climber. "I'm curious what the first day will bring, with a super dangerous descent to the final climb. Then there's the short stage which will finish in La Toussuire. They will be flying."

On Saturday the final mountain stage with finish at Alpe d'Huez is on the menu. 

"The Alpe is very special. I have done it in a race twice. During the last few days it has been a madhouse with all the Dutch fans. In the Alps it is even more extreme. I enjoy it, especially when I'm up against the best on the climbs."

The Tour will finish on Sunday but there is no time for rest for Gesink. According to AD, he will be at the start of the Tour of Poland which starts in Warsaw on August 2. Last season the Dutchman finished eighth in the WorldTour race.