Robert Gesink has decided to skip the Giro d'Italia in 2016. The LottoNL-Jumbo rider has told Omroep Gelderland that the focus is fully on the Tour de France and the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

"It is a very difficult choice. Especially when you consider that the race will start in the Netherlands and even in the east and passes close by Achterhoek," he said about the start from Gelderland.

"This year it went quite well in the Tour. I based almost my entire season on that and it will be the same next year," he added even though he doesn't know his exact role yet. The hilly classics Amstel Gold Race, Flèche Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège will also most likely be on the agenda for the Condor of Varsseveld.