Despite an exceptionally strong field in this year’s Vuelta a Espana edition, young Wilco Kelderman is regarded one of the dark horses to finish inside the top five in Santiago de Compostela, mainly by virtue of his impressive performance at the Criterium du Dauphine. The Belkin Procycling leader, however, slightly played down his own chances for obtaining such result, claiming that finishing season’s ultimate grand tour within top ten.

Kelderman was one of very few riders, mainly alongside Nairo Quintana (Movistar), who performed strongly in their build-up events towards the Spanish three-week event. The 23-year old Dutchman finished seventh at the Tour of Utah and spent an additional week at altitude in United Stated, what proved to be a highly successful approach to Vuelta preparations last year..

Despite those circumstances, Kelderman remained uncertain about his chances to beat his own achievement from this season’s Giro d’Italia, claiming that both the strong field of favorites and less suitable course make things more complicated this time around.

“The field is more like in the Tour. I wonder whether I could match this men in the mountains if I regained the feeling I had had during the Giro,” Kelderman told NUsport.

“If I had really good legs, finishing inside top ten would be really great in such field.”

Despite being regarded Belkin Procycling brightest stars, the 23-year old shares leadership duties with Robert Gesink and Laurens Ten Dam in the Spanish Grand Tour. Kelderman acknowledged that such situation plays in team’s advantage and creates wider range of possibilities in the mountains.

“We have a really strong team of climbers, I think we have a lot to offer each other and we can fend ourselves better,” Kelderman concluded.