Wilco Kelderman again got safely through a hot and dangerous day in the Vuelta a Espana and even moved into the top 10 in the overall standings. The Dutchman is pleased with the way he has handled the heat and only has a slight regret about not contesting the sprint in the finale.

The Vuelta a Espana’s hot stage four in the country’s south did not bother the Belkin Pro Cycling TEAM today. Wilco Kelderman and Robert Gesink maintained their places in the first group during the 164-kilometre stage from Mairena del Alcor to Córdoba and move up to tenth and eleventh overall.

Giant-Shimano’s John Degenkolb won the stage from a bunch sprint in the same city where Lars Boom triumphed in a Vuelta stage in 2009 Vuelta.

“Temperatures of around 40 degrees Celsius made it tough, but nevertheless I was able to maintain myself at the front,” said Kelderman, who after the stage went to the podium with his teammates for the team classification prize.

“I wasn’t able to sprint for the win, but at least I was up there. The stage started quietly. A break took off, but it never took a big lead, which allowed the peloton to take it easy. From the first climbs, the pace went up considerably, however.”
 

“It was quite a struggle for me,” said Stef Clement, who lost some time after doing some of the dirty work for his team.

“It was very hot today and I’m suffering from a cold that I got during the Arctic Race of Norway. The difference in temperature is big. Over there it was around 10 degrees, here it’s 40! I have learned to accept things, though. Hopefully I'll only get better from here.”
 

Nico Verhoeven spoke of a “perfect day”.

“Our three leaders, Laurens as well, all finish in the first group and move up in the overall. We hoped that Paul Martens could get in the mix in the sprint, but it was too steep and hot for him.

“Tomorrow is definitely a stage for Moreno Hofland. He saved energy today and hopefully he can go head-to-head with Degenkolb and Michael Matthews.”