In the Vuelta a Espana, Wilco Kelderman has not had the legs he had earlier this year. Today he again suffered in the mountains and the exhausted Dutchman dropped to 15th in the overall standings.

Wilco Kelderman gave everything he had in today’s gruelling 20th stage of the Vuelta a España. The leader of the Belkin Pro Cycling TEAM arrived at the start line in Santa Estevo de Ribas do Sil as 14th overall and at the top of the long and steep Puerto de Ancares, 225 kilometres later, he only lost one spot to move to 15th. 

“It was a very tough day,” Kelderman said. “It went up and down all day. My tank was pretty empty the last few days and today, I was pretty exhausted, as well.” 

Alberto Contador of Tinkoff-Saxo won the stage and nearly cemented the overall victory. With one stage remaining, he leads Chris Froome (Sky) by 1-37 minutes. Kelderman sits at 25-26. 
 

Kelderman constantly lost ground and closed the gap on the final climb.

“Eventually, I went up in my own pace. I can’t really follow those men now.” 

He was satisfied with his spot, even if he lost one place.

“Of course you want more. I’m now 25 minutes down in the overall, that’s disappointing, but I can live with that. It has been a long and successful season.”
 

The riders need to recharge their batteries one more time in the Vuelta because they face a 9.7-kilometre time trial through Santiago de Compostela tomorrow. 

Kelderman is surrounded by Giampaolo Caruso (Katusha) and Maxime Monfort (Lotto-Belisol). On both sides, the difference is around half a minute.

“We will see what will happen tomorrow. I’m going to give all I have left, but I have to say I gave a lot today.”