Team Jumbo-Visma loses Gesink in dramatic first stage Tour Down Under
Team Jumbo-Visma left the first stage of the Tour Down Under in a bad way. During the hectic stage, the black-and-yellow formation lost Robert Gesink in a crash in which the Dutchman hit his head on the tarmac.
Things went wrong for the Dutch squad about 25 kilometres from the finish line. Along with Gesink, Timo Roosen, and Tim van Dijke were also engaged in the crash in the front. The latter two were unharmed and able to continue on their way. Gesink was forced to abandon after being left on the tarmac.
"The loss of Robert is a significant setback"
Sports director Addy Engels did not have to think too hard to convey his feelings about the opening stage. "We can only conclude that this is a bad day for the team. The loss of Robert is a significant setback. The crash appeared to be pretty bad. It quickly became obvious that he could not continue on his way. He is doing well, fortunately, given the circumstances, but we must monitor him closely. Before we create a thorough strategy for tomorrow's stage, we must first recover from this tough day."
Santos Tour Down Under
Stage 1
Result
1
Phil Bauhaus
Bahrain - Victorious
03:37:35
2
Caleb Ewan
UniSA-Australia
+00:00:00
3
Michael Matthews
Team Jayco AlUla
+00:00:00
13
Tim van Dijke
Jumbo-Visma
+00:00:00
40
Timo Roosen
Jumbo-Visma
+00:00:00
92
Milan Vader
Jumbo-Visma
+00:00:00
96
Jos van Emden
Jumbo-Visma
+00:00:00
98
Lennard Hofstede
Jumbo-Visma
+00:00:00
101
Rohan Dennis
Jumbo-Visma
+00:00:00
-
Robert Gesink
Jumbo-Visma
DNF
Rankings
1
Alberto Bettiol
EF Education-EasyPost
03:43:54
2
Michael Matthews
Team Jayco AlUla
+00:00:06
3
Magnus Sheffield
INEOS Grenadiers
+00:00:08
15
Rohan Dennis
Jumbo-Visma
+00:00:17
32
Jos van Emden
Jumbo-Visma
+00:00:25
34
Timo Roosen
Jumbo-Visma
+00:00:25
47
Milan Vader
Jumbo-Visma
+00:00:30
105
Tim van Dijke
Jumbo-Visma
+00:00:54
111
Lennard Hofstede
Jumbo-Visma
+00:00:59
