After his excellent performance in the Giro d'Italia, Wilco Kelderman was rumoured to be leaving Belkin. Ultimately, he decided to stay and at yesterday's presentation of the team, he elaborated on the reasons for his decision

Next year Wilco Kelderman will be riding in the yellow, black and white colours of the new combined skating and cycling Team LottoNL-Jumbo. Yesterday the team was officially presented Tivoli Vredenburg in Utrecht.

Last summer it was still far from certain that Kelderman would remain in the team of manager Richard Plugge. Because of the loss of the current main sponsor Belkin and the absence of a replacement, the team had an uncertain future. The management of the 23-year old rider opened negotiations with other WorldTour teams. Encouraged by the good results, the interest in the young Dutchman was great and teams like Sky and Orica-GreenEDGE both spoke about their desire to sign him.  Due to the rescue of the team by sponsors Lotto, Brand Loyalty and later Jumbo, Kelderman ultimately decided to stay.

After the press conference in Utrecht, he elaborated on the reasons for his contract extension for the first time.

"I'm very happy that I can stay with this team," he says according to WielerFlits. "For a long time, I had to take the decision of the sponsor to stop into account. That uncertainty prompted me to look at other teams. Fortunately, it turned out the way it did. I feel confident in this teams and the atmosphere is good. Moreover, I can still grow as a rider here. For me, a new challenge was not necessary."

The presentation of the 2015 Tour de France has of course caught his interest. Next year he is likely to make his debut in the biggest race in the world. Yesterday he announced that he would have "preferred a long time trial" in the course but despite the lack of time trialling, his ambition of a top result remains intact. 

Kelderman is likely to start his season in February at the Tour of the Algarve. Via Paris-Nice and the spring classics, he wants to prepare for the Grand Depart in Utrecht.