Gesink and Mellama to lead Rabobank on Vuelta

PARIS (AFP) –

Robert Gesink, who is pictured in May 2012, and Bauke Mellema will spearhead Dutch cycling team Rabobank, as they attempt to carry their recent success into the Tour of Spain which starts with a time-trial in Pamplona on Saturday and runs until September 9 and the finale in Madrid.

Robert Gesink and Bauke Mellema will spearhead Dutch cycling team Rabobank, as they attempt to carry their recent success into the Tour of Spain which starts with a time-trial in Pamplona on Saturday and runs until September 9 and the finale in Madrid.

The 26-year-old Gesink, who finished sixth on the Tour of Spain in 2009 and seventh in 2009 has recovered from a crash on this year’s Tour de France and will line up alongside 25-year-old Mellema, who had a career-best fourth place on last year’s Vuelta.

Mellema also won the points race on last year’s race to become the first Dutchman to win a major classification on a grand Tour since 1992.

The team have had a victory laden campaign, with stage wins for Matti Breschel and Paul Martens on the Tour of Burgos, while Lars Boom picked up a stage win on the Tour of Benelux and Spaniard Luis Leon Sanchez won Tuesday’s San Sebastian classic.

Rabobank team:

Lars Boom (NED), Matti Breschel (DEN), Stef Clement (NED), Laurens ten Dam (NED), Juan Manuel Garate (ESP), Robert Gesink (NED), Bauke Mollema (NED), Grischa Niermann (GER), Dennis van Winden (NED).