Injuries sustained from the Bart Brentjens Challenge two weeks ago proved too much
Two weeks following his crash at the Bart Brentjens Challenge in South Limburg, the father of Robert Gesink succumbed to his injuries and passed away Saturday morning.
The day after his son's second straight win at the Giro dell'Emilia, the elder Gesink took to the start of the Bart Brentjens Challenge, but would not make it to the finish.
Following his win on the 9th of October in Emilia, Gesink had placed himself as one of the top favorites for the following weekend's season ending Monument, the Giro di Lombardia.
Gesink wouldn't get the chance to start though, as the call came on Sunday, and he immediately left for the airport to be at his father's side. Little was heard of following the initial report that Gesink would not be taking part in the Race of the Falling Leaves. The next report was yesterday and the sad news that his father had passed.
The Rabobank team website, Rabosport, wished Gesink and his family the best in the family's difficult time: "The riders, team leaders, management, and staff of the Rabobank Cycling Team and participative sponsor, Rabobank, are shocked by this sad news and wish Robert and all his family strength in coping with this great loss."