"I am looking forward to continuing with this group for another year”, a delighted Gesink said. "The motivation is still great, and I am enjoying myself here. In December, I agreed with the team that we would discuss a possible retirement from cycling after the Giro. I appreciate that the team management has left the decision entirely up to me."

The 37-year-old climber has defended the team colours since the very beginning. As a leader, he has taken several places of honour in the grand tours. In recent years, he has been a crucial mentor to the team's young riders. "It has been a rollercoaster career so far. I have seen the good and the bad sides of cycling. I am happy to share this experience with the young talents in the team.”

Sporting Director Merijn Zeeman is pleased with Gesink's decision not to retire from cycling just yet. "Robert is an icon for our team, and we appreciate him for that. He has been a mainstay for many years. Extending his contract was a logical decision for us, and fortunately, he shared this opinion.”

"I am very grateful to the team, and it is mutual. I have consistently given my all over the past few years, and I am looking forward to another year”, Gesink concluded.