Wilco Kelderman was on his way to a top result in Paris-Nice when an untimely mechanical ruined all his plans. The young Dutchman is looking for his revenge when he joins Laurens Ten Dam and Steven Kruijswijk as Belkin leaders in next week's Volta a Catalunya.

The Belkin Pro Cycling Team plans to compete with the best in the world in the Volta Ciclista a Catalunya, March 24 to 30. The team, directed by Michiel Elijzen, wants to ride high in the overall and win a stage in the Spanish stage race. 

“Those are our goals,” said Elijzen. “With Laurens ten Dam, Wilco Kelderman and Steven Kruijswijk we have three GC riders with us in Spain. All three will have a protected status, but after Paris-Nice it is clear that Wilco is the man in form. He should be able to put in a good result. 

“Laurens has had a tough winter and Steven has yet to approach his best after his surgery. We will finalise our plans during the week based on who’s in the best condition.” 

The Belkin Pro Cycling TEAM will face some stiff competition in Catalonia, including the top four of last year’s Tour de France: Chris Froome, Nairo Quintana, Joaquim Rodriguez and Alberto Contador. Daniel Martin, the 2013 winner, also starts. 

“A strong field will be at the start in Callela,” said Elijzen. “After the Tour de France this is perhaps the hardest stage race of the year. This is a good test for us. The course is hard, as well. Our focus is on the third and fourth stage, but we will have to pay attention every day.” 

Paul Martens is the joker of the Belkin Pro Cycling Team. The German returns after a knee injury and sets his sights on a stage victory.

“Paul has the right morale and knows his way around the hilly stages.” 

Kelderman looks forward to another GC battle after Paris-Nice. In France, he finished outside the top ten due a mechanical. He hopes to bounce back in Catalonia. 

“I’m really looking forward to Catalonia,” he said. “I like the fact that there are longer climbs than in Paris-Nice. We start the race with a strong team, which gives me a lot of confidence. It’s a real race for climbers and some of the best in the world will be at the start. 

“I’ll focus on myself with the idea to see how far I can go. I want to finish as high up as possible in the overall classification.” 
 

Jack Bobridge, Stef Clement, Laurens ten Dam, Martijn Keizer, Wilco Kelderman, Steven Kruijswijk, Paul Martens and David Tanner.