Coming out of his breakthrough appearance at the Vuelta a Espana, Tom Dumoulin couldn't take a well-deserved rest, as the powerful Dutchman led Giant-Alpecin squad to an impressive 5th place in the World Championship team time trial in Richmond on Sunday. Speaking to CyclingQuotes, the 24-year old explained that even though the biggest objectives are yet to come, he will roll down the ramp on Wednesday with realistic expectations, aware that fatigue will play a key role.

One would think that participating in all three elite men's events at the World Championships would be too much for still young Dumoulin, who not only survived a very tough Vuelta but all of a sudden turned himself into a purebred Grand Tour contender. While the individual time trial remains his most important objective, he not only led his team to a fantastic 5th place in the TTT, but is scheduled to ride the road race as a part of the Dutch squad.

„I'm feeling actually quite good. Maybe not 100 percent yet, but I hope to be 100 percent on upcoming Wednesday,” Dumoulin told CyclingQuotes.

„I'm doing the road race next Sunday, so after this Vuelta it's going to be really hard. but I hope to take some rest in the coming week and to be good in the road race, but first the ITT is really important.”

The 24-year old Dutchman agreed that fatigue is going to play a key role in his ITT appearance on Wednesday, but all the same claimed that participation in the team time trial as a part of the Giant-Alpecin squad has been very important in terms of getting his body out of a rest mode.

„Today I was good so I'm walking away with a good feelings. It's not good after such a hard Vuelta to do nothing for one and a half week, then your body will get into a rest mode. I think today it was a good day to get it out of the rest mode and get ready for upcoming Wednesday.”

In such circumstances, Dumoulin will line up at the start of the individual time trial with rather humble expectations, knowing that improving on last year's result would be a very difficult task taking his far from optimal preparations towards the event.

„It depends a bit on how I'm going to feel on Wednesday. I know that it's going to be very hard to be in the top shape after the Vuelta, but normally the goal is to finish on the podium and I think it's possible if I feel fine. It could be a bit disappointing if I feel a little bit tired. We'll just see.”

Asked about the ITT course, the 24-year old Giant-Alpecin rider admitted it was harder than he expected, but on a good day should suit his characteristics well.

„It's harder than I expected. It's really rolling hills, and up and down, especially in the beginning which is good for me," he concluded.