Wilco Kelderman increased his lead in the Volta Ciclista a Catalunya’s best young rider classification. Nevertheless, there was disappointment within the Team LottoNL-Jumbo camp after Wednesday’s third stage.

“The white jersey was not our goal today, we had hoped to move into the top ten of the overall with Wilco or Steven Kruijswijk,” Sports director Mathieu Heijboer ambitiously stated to the LottoNL-Jumbo website.

The efforts of both men were spot-on, though.

"Wilco and Steven did super,” Heijboer witnessed. “They did what we’d asked them. They had to be attentive during the descent of the penultimate climb, and they were. When the bunch broke, they were in the first group. On the final climb, they hung on really long, but unfortunately, they were dropped just before the summit.”

Kelderman worked hard to remain ahead of the peloton in the last flat kilometres, but he was caught on the line. “His ninth place is a good result, but it’s doesn’t really help us. The men have done a lot of good things, but the mission wasn’t completely accomplished.”

The stage was won by Domenico Pozzovivo. The Italian AG2R-La Mondiale rider was part of a seven-men group that broke free from Kelderman and the others on the final climb. Pierre Rolland is leading the overall. The Europcar Frenchman holds a 2’46” over Kelderman, who’s 14th. Kruijswijk has an equally large deficit, and is 20th overall.

The Dutchman lives in today’s start and finish town of Girona, and trains often on the roads the peloton traced today.

“I certainly profited from my experience today. I was able to help the team by telling them when and where they had to be in the front. We did well today, but unfortunately, we weren’t able to hang on long enough on the final climb.”

A tough day lies ahead of the peloton, Kruijswijk admits. “Hopefully Wilco and I can still move towards the top ten tomorrow. I expect a hard race, because men like Richie Porte and Alberto Contador are still aiming for the overall win.

Heijboer expects a tough race as well. “Tomorrow’s stage is a key stage. The differences won’t get too big on La Molina, though. The boys have climbed the mountain before. It’s going to be a battle for seconds. Every second can help you move up a spot in the GC.”