GESINK: I NEED TO LEARN TO DESCEND
Robert Gesink spoke of his disappointment after losing the Paris-Nice yellow jersey in an aggressive and chaotic sixth stage.
?I?m less fresh than I was before. On the climb there were riders going up in the big ring, but I wasn?t able to do that,? he said.
Gesink lost touch with the leaders on the descent of the Tanneron, a twisting and narrow downhill with gravelly corners and few straight sections.
?I don?t think I underestimated the Tanneron ? I knew it was a very dangerous descent, and when I saw Frank Schleck fall in front of me I was afraid. I almost crapped in my yellow shorts,? he joked.
?I?ll have to learn how to descend better. But this is cycling. It?s disappointing to lose the whole race on a downhill, but Rebellin made the gap. Then I couldn?t get back on in the wind. It was very difficult, and I pushed too hard at the start of the chase.?
Gesink didn?t rule out trying to regain his race lead, but with Rebellin leading him by a healthy margin, it looks like the Dutchman might have to put this Paris-Nice down to experience.
?I?ll have a think about what to do tomorrow. But for now, I?m just disappointed,? he said.
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PARIS-NICE 2008: STAGE REPORTS
Stage six: Gesink sinks
Stage five: Quick Step make it three
Stage four: Evans above
Stage three: Flying Finn takes the win
Stage two: Steegmans back on top
Stage one: Steegmans rides the storm
Prologue: Hushovd wins
RELATED LINKS
Gesink: I need to learn how to descend
Interview: Cadel Evans
Paris-Nice photo gallery: new photos added daily
Millar out of Paris-Nice
Stage four analysis
Stage three analysis
Stage one analysis
Millar goes down but isn't out
Prologue analysis: winners and losers
Big names line up for Paris-Nice and defy UCI
Teams vote to ride Paris-Nice
Paris-Nice preview: does the route suit David Millar?
BLOG: PARIS-NICE
Days two and three
Day one
Edward Pickering is a writer and journalist, editor of Pro Cycling and previous deputy editor of Cycle Sport. As well as contributing to Cycling Weekly, he has also written for the likes of the New York Times. His book, The Race Against Time, saw him shortlisted for Best New Writer at the British Sports Book Awards. A self-confessed 'fair weather cyclist', Pickering also enjoys running.