Despite having undergone surgery for a heart problem, Robert Gesink had initially played with the thought of lining up in the Tour de France but now the Dutchman has decided to focus fully on the Vuelta a Espana. He will make his return to competition in the Ster ZLM Toer next week and use that race, the Dutch championships and the Tour of Poland as preparation for the Spanish grand tour.

Robert Gesink will not participate in the Tour de France this year. On the 15th of April, the Belkin Pro Cycling TEAM rider announced that he had been suffering from cardiac arrhythmia during heavy physical exertions for a few years. After an extensive cardiologic examination the cause of the problem was found and treated on the 6th of May. Shortly after the treatment Gesink was able to resume training.

After a period at high altitude in Sierra Nevada, it has been decided, in agreement with the team’s management, that Gesink is not racing in the Tour de France. The race starts too soon for the Team Belkin rider.

“I was very happy to have put this insecure period behind me," he said. "I’ve worked on my recovery with full confidence. Participating in the Tour de France was a possibility, but the reality is that the periods before and after the surgery were extremely tough. It wouldn’t be wise to prepare myself for the most important race of the year in a forced way. To start in the Tour de France you have to be in top form, and I’m not fully confident that I am at this point.

"Of course I am disappointed, but I’m also relieved to have put this insecure period behind me and to be able to fully focus on the second half of the season. At the end of this month, I will start in the Ster ZLM Toer, which will be my first race after the surgery. After that I will start at the National Championships, the Tour of Poland and the Vuelta a España."