Robert Gesink finished 11th today in the fifth stage of the Tour de Romandie. The 28-year old Team LottoNL-Jumbo rider said he was content with his result after the Queen Stage, as was Sports Director Erik Dekker.

“This feels like a magnificent performance to me,” said Gesink, who is riding his first stage race since the Volta ao Algarve in February.

“I’m glad with my level at the moment. I am still missing some power, which I noticed at the foot of the final climb when the tempo was upped, but I’m strong and my endurance is fine. I gave all I had, which enabled me to pick up a lot of riders on my way to the top.

"This was a serious test in a strong field of riders and it went well. At this moment, there’s no shame for me in losing about a minute to the winner.”

That was Thibaut Pinot. The Frenchman of FDJ was the strongest on the Champex-Lax climb, after the two escapees of the day, Maxim Belkov (Katusha) and Bryan Naulleau (Europcar), were caught. Ilnur Zakarin of Katusha is the new overall leader.

Erik Dekker praised Gesink’s efforts afterwards.

“Robert was riding at his current limit. It’s nice to see only ten riders were stronger. He did great. The rest of the team did fine too. All of the riders have performed at the top of their level.”

The Tour de Romandie comes to an end on Sunday with a 17-kilometre time trial.

“A technical trial,” Dekker said. “With a number of downhills and a lot of corners.” 

Gesink is planning to give everything, one last time.

“It’s a good test for me on the time trial bike. The overall isn’t very important for me this week but I’m going to pretend it is. I become stronger by that.”