Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Robert Gesink

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: June 1, 2025

How Robert Gesink built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Robert Gesink is a retired Dutch professional cyclist, active from 2007 to 2024. A strong climber and time trialist, Gesink secured notable victories such as the 2012 Tour of California, the 2011 Tour of Oman, and the 2010 Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal. He also won the Giro dell'Emilia twice. Throughout his career, Gesink consistently delivered solid performances in Grand Tours and week-long stage races, establishing himself as a respected competitor.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

2006: Joins Rabobank Continental team

In 2006, Robert Gesink joined the Rabobank Continental team. He finished third overall in Volta ao Algarve and won the overall classification and the third stage of Settimana Ciclistica Lombarda. He later won a stage and the overall classification of the Circuito Montañés and finished second in the prestigious Tour de l'Avenir.

2007: Started professional career

In 2007, Robert Gesink began his professional cycling career.

2008: Progression in second professional year

In 2008, Robert Gesink demonstrated progression in his second year as a professional cyclist. He won the hardest stage in the Tour of California and finished fourth overall in the Paris-Nice, winning the youth classification. He also finished seventh in his first Grand Tour, the Vuelta a España.

2009: Injury and Giro dell'Emilia Victory

In 2009, Robert Gesink finished fourth overall in the Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré, but broke his wrist during stage 5 of his first Tour de France, leading to his withdrawal. After recovering, he finished 6th in the Vuelta a España. He won the Giro dell'Emilia.

2010: Mixed Results and Tour de Suisse Stage Win

In 2010, Robert Gesink had mixed results, finishing fifth in the Tirreno–Adriatico but experiencing a fall in the Tour of the Basque Country. He later won the most difficult stage in the Tour de Suisse, initially taking the lead but ultimately finishing fifth overall.

2010: Victory at Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal

In 2010, Robert Gesink won the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal, a significant achievement in his cycling career.

2011: Victory at Tour of Oman

In 2011, Robert Gesink achieved a major victory by winning the Tour of Oman.

2011: Victories in Tour of Oman and Injury

In 2011, Robert Gesink won the Tour of Oman, including two stage wins, and finished third overall in the Tour of the Basque Country. He also placed ninth at the Amstel Gold Race. In September 2011, Gesink suffered a crash in training where he broke his leg in four places, and had a surgical operation.

2012: Victory at Tour of California

In 2012, Robert Gesink won the Tour of California, marking a major victory in his career.

2013: Victory at Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec

In 2013, Robert Gesink had an uneventful season, abandoning the Giro d'Italia in the second week, but he did secure a victory at the Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec in September.

2016: Vuelta a España Stage Win

In 2016, Robert Gesink crashed at the Tour de Suisse, missing the Tour de France. He won Stage 14 of the Vuelta a España to Col d'Aubisque and had several podium finishes.

2019: Domestique Role and Roglič's Vuelta Win

In 2019, Robert Gesink's role with Team Jumbo–Visma shifted to that of a mountain domestique for Primož Roglič. Roglič won the Vuelta a España in 2019.

2020: Roglič's Vuelta Win

In 2020, Robert Gesink continued as a domestique for Primož Roglič, who won the Vuelta a España in 2020.

2021: Roglič's Vuelta Win

In 2021, Robert Gesink continued as a domestique for Primož Roglič, who won the Vuelta a España in 2021.

2022: Vuelta a España Leader's Jersey

In 2022, at the Vuelta a España, Robert Gesink assumed the race leader's red jersey after Team Jumbo–Visma won the opening stage team time trial. He ceded the lead to teammate Mike Teunissen at the end of the following stage.

June 2023: Contract Extension and Retirement Plans

In June 2023, Robert Gesink signed a one-year contract extension with Team Jumbo–Visma for the 2024 season, while also intimating that it would be his last season as a professional.