Wilco Kelderman rode himself into the top ten overall of the Volta Ciclista a Catalunya today thanks to a fifth place in the queen stage. The Dutchman of Team LottoNL-Jumbo arrived at the top of final climb just eight seconds behind stage winner Tejay Van Garderen (BMC).

Kelderman, who wears the white youth jersey, now holds the eighth position in the general classification and sits 51 seconds behind new race leader Bart DeClerq (Lotto-Soudal). Richie Porte (Sky) placed second today, three seconds back on Van Garderen. Kelderman finished in the same time as Alberto Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo) and Daniel Martin (Cannondale-Garmin).

The riders closed the day after tackling the Alt de la Creueta, a 21-kilometre hors category climb with an average gradient of 4.5 per cent.

“Today was really hard, but for me it went well,” Kelderman said to the LottoNL-Jumbo website. “I’m happy. Yesterday, I was a little angry because I was caught on the line by the peloton, so my attacking efforts were for nothing. That made me extra motivated to make a difference today.

“With about 3.5 kilometres to go, I attacked and I was able to reach Daniel Martin. When Contador came along, I managed to follow. I’m glad things are going my way again. Paris-Nice wasn’t what I’d expected. During the first days here, I already felt fitter – even more so today. This proves that I’m on the right track, that’s good for my confidence.”

Sports Director Frans Maassen was very pleased with the performance of his riders.

“The three GC leaders were put under pressure early on in the stage. The peloton broke into two pieces and Wilco was where he needed to be, in the first group together with Laurens ten Dam and Steven Kruijswijk. After that, it was a long elimination race until it came down to a man-to-man battle,” said Maassen. It’s nice that Wilco confirms his ability, especially as there are more world class riders here than there were in Paris-Nice. This is a boost for the entire team after all the illnesses.”

 Friday’s stage will lead the pack over 195 kilometres from Alp to Valls. In the final twenty kilometres, the riders must ride a second category climb and finish on a flat road into Valls. Maassen added, “We’ll need to be alert.”