Robert Gesink says cycling is much cleaner after the sport’s doping era

Dutch climber Robert Gesink, who turned professional with Rabobank in 2007 and retired in 2024, reflected on the widespread doping that plagued the peloton during his early years. He recalled the 2007 Tour de France incident when teammate Michael Rasmussen was expelled for lying about his whereabouts, and noted that other Rabobank riders such as Thomas Dekker and Michael Boogerd were also caught using prohibited substances.

Gesink said the atmosphere at the time was marked by mistrust and speculation, with many young riders feeling pressure to “join in” to achieve results. He credited his entourage for keeping him on a clean path. Over his career he won a Vuelta a España stage in 2016, claimed victories in the GP de Québec and GP de Montréal, and finished in the top ten of Grand Tours on five occasions. According to Gesink, the sport has become “much cleaner now,” although he acknowledges that occasional cheating may still occur.