Wilco Kelderman (Belkin) confirmed that he has the skills to be an excellent stage race rider when he finished 7th against a high-level field in the first mountain stage of Volta a Catalunya. The young Dutchman was pleased with his ride that sets him up for an overall top 10 result in the WorldTour race.

Wilco Kelderman was able to hang on to the world’s top climbers until the very last moment in Wednesday’s third stage of the Volta a Catalunya. The Dutch leader of the Belkin Pro Cycling Team claimed the seventh spot in the stage finishing uphill at the La Molina Ski Resort, just 14 seconds behind stage winner Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha). 

“I was in second position behind Katusha’s Moreno with just over a mile to go,” said Kelderman. “He was going full gas at that time, and when Froome, Rodriguez and Contador attacked, I simply couldn’t follow. I was exhausted, but still able to bridge a little later. When I connected, however, they accelerated again. From that point I just gave everything I had until the finish, and I’m very happy that I still managed to finish seventh.” 

“Wilco is in a very good shape,” said Sports Director Michiel Elijzen. “He was already very strong in Paris-Nice, and it is very nice that he affirms that here, both for himself and for us. As a rookie, he finishes between experienced men like Rodriguez and Contador. Wilco perhaps lacks a bit of a punch, but that will come with age.” 

Kelderman is now sixth overall. Elijzen hopes to hold on to that position.

“Our goal was a top ten finish and we are well on our way. Tomorrow we face a tough ride, one similar to today’s, but after this stage, we are confident, because not only Wilco is enjoying a good run of form, the others are doing fine, too.” 

One of the riders Elijzen is referring to, is Jack Bobridge, who stepped into the spotlight Wednesday. The Australian managed to sneak into the breakaway of the day and claimed the mountain jersey and the trophy for the first rider to reach the roof of the race, in this case the 1916-meter Alto de la Creueta. 

“Jack was super today,” said Elijzen. “We wanted to have someone in the break, so that Wilco would have someone with him in the final. Jack told us he felt good this morning and said that he wanted to take on that role. The fact that he succeeds shows that his shape is fine and that he has a lot of confidence.”

You can read our preview of the fourth stage here and follow our live coverage at 15.15 CET on CyclingQuotes.com/live.