Belkin got its three GC riders safely through a tricky seventh stage of the Vuelta a Espana but the team was surprised by the toughness of the course. Robert Gesink admits to having suffered and claims that the official profile was deceiving.

The Belkin Pro Cycling TEAM managed to stay out of trouble in the seventh stage of the Vuelta a España. The stage, which was won by solo attacker Alessandro De Marchi in Alcaudete, got off to a tumultuous start.

“The course was tough and the riders made it extra hard,” said Sports Director Erik Dekker. “The start was fast and not long after, all hell broke loose. In the first hour, about hundred riders were dropped. If that happens in a pro peloton, the pace must be really, really high.”

Belkin Pro Cycling TEAM’s overall riders were not surprised.

“Our guys were in front, so that was good. That also was the case when Chris Froome crashed. I’m glad that we haven’t suffered any damage.”
 

Robert Gesink finished 11th and was the best placed rider of the team. In the overall, he still sits seventh behind Alejandro Valverde. Gesink said, “In the sprint, I wanted to follow Dan Martin, but unfortunately I couldn’t.”

Despite the lower temperatures today, Gesink still had a tough day.

“It went up and down all day, and I think that many guys suffered. The profile appeared to be flat, but I’ve learnt that you can never trust the Spanish profiles. I have miscalculated before and seriously suffered. As a GC rider you need to stay focused every day.”