/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2024/05/05/image-a70243fe-e5d0-449d-802c-d8ffe57764e6-85-2560-1440.jpeg "Downfall for the big teams – Dutch super veteran has to retire from the Giro d’Italia")
Gesink’s employer, the partially Norwegian-sponsored major team Visma Lease a Bike, confirms the veteran’s exit from this year’s Giro on Sunday.
According to the plan, the Dutchman should have been an important assistant rider for overall hope Cian Uijtdebroeks in the first three-week race of the season. Instead, he is forced to take a break with what is described as a minor fracture in his hand.
Gesink’s injury adds to the string of bad news for win-accustomed Visma Lease a Bike this season. Injuries to important pieces such as Christophe Laporte and Wout Van Aert have caused trouble earlier this spring.
Ecuadorian Jhonatan Narváez surprisingly won Saturday’s Giro opener in Turin. He is a teammate of Tobias Foss, who is also at the start of the race.
Vegard Stake Laengen (UAE) and Torstein Træen (Bahrain-Victorious) are the other two Norwegians competing in the first Grand Tour race of the season.
The race ends on Sunday 26 May.