Wilco Kelderman heads into the second rest day of his season’s Giro d’Italia after making an impression of being one of the strongest climbers in the race, however, it turns out that the talented Dutchman surprised even himself being able to outsprint most of pre-race favorites in the uphill finales last weekend. Even though his ability to finish the season’s first grand tour event inside the top ten was never questioned, the 23-year old Belkin leader prefers to stick to this realistic goal, reluctant to admit that his recent showings indicated that he should dream much bigger.

"The most important thing for me is to remain in the top ten," he told the AD newspaper.

Kelderman, winner of last year’s Tour of Denmark, enjoyed a solid yet unspectacular built-up towards the Giro d’Italia. More than obtained results, however, his brave but stupidly-timed attacks in the Tour de Romandie suggested that both disposition and self-confidence of the 23-year old Dutchman are increasing and he should be ready for a challenge in the three-week event.

Despite a very disappointing opening of the Italian grand tour with team time trial marred by rain and suffering a crash on Irish roads, Kelderman quickly bounced back with performances which exceeded his own expectations.

Like most of the pre-race favorites, young Belkin leader hit the deck in the dramatic mass-crash at the bottom of Montecassino climb, but managed to quickly remount his bike and emerged as a first rider to cross the finish line from the first chasing group.

This encouraging performance was followed with even more impressive showings during the first two mountain stages of the Giro, as the 23-year old Dutchman once again brought home the group of favorites on Saturday and was only slightly oversprinted on Sunday, after he emerged as one of the strongest climbers in the race alongside Robert Kiserlovski (Trek Factory Racing), Nairo Quintana (Movistar), Cadel Evans (BMC) and Rafał Majka (Tinkoff-Saxo) when Rigoberto Uran (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) decided to test climbing legs of other GC contenders on the steepest slopes of Passo del Lupo.

"I surprise myself again and again. I didn't see that third place coming. When I am able pass all these big names in the final metres, it surprised me. I've finished in the top ten over and over. It's going very well." 

Even though Kelderman modestly insists on targeting the top ten in the general classification, as a skilled time trialist the Belkin captain admitted that he hopes to significantly improve on his position following the long stage against the clock next Thursday.

"There are not many time trial specialists in this field so climbing to a top five position after Thursday should be possible." 

While following the first of weekend’s mountain stages Evans admitted that there are plenty of tired legs in the peloton and Quintana confirmed in, saying that the second rest day came just in time, 23-year old Dutchman remained fresh and ready for upcoming challenges.

"I am going to take an easy spin, I guess. I am not tired. Everything has been quite easily up till now. The legs feel fine so far," he commented.

"But the Giro is still long. I am not looking at [Cadel] Evans because he got his advantage as a present after a crash but for me the most important thing is to stay in that top ten."