Wilco Kelderman finished fifth in the second stage of the Volta Ciclista a Catalunya today in Spain. The 23-year-old Dutchman of team LottoNL-Jumbo sprinted in the big leading group and with fifth place, took the lead in the youth classification. Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) won the stage.

The rainy second stage was tough because of the circumstances. The treacherous climb just before the end of the stage, forced many riders out of the front group that Movistar led to the finish for Valverde.

“I felt pretty good,” Kelderman said. “There was bad weather the whole day, but I never got too cold. In the final, it went quit well. The boys dropped me off in the front perfectly and after that, Steven Kruijswijk and I kept close. I’m happy with the result, which gives me confidence. Plus, it gives me the lead in the youth classification, and that’s nice.”

“This is a boost for the whole team,” sports director, Frans Maassen explained. 

Steven Kruijswijk’s and George Bennett’s local knowledge played a big role in Kelderman’s performance.

“They live in this neighbourhood and know the way. We really used that today,” added Maassen. “It was a tough final where everyone had to fight for his position. The boys did a good job in that aspect."

Nick van der Lijke, however, abandoned.

“He felt weak and sluggish, so it was a little bit predictable, especially with this weather. It’s not responsible to continue.”

The white jersey and Kelderman’s position in the general classification will come under attack in Wednesday’s stage, one of the toughest, according to Maassen. 

“I expect that everyone is going to have a hard stage,” he said. “The final is downhill, which makes it even trickier. We are going to do everything we can to bring Steven and Wilco in the best possible position for the final climb. Steven can use his experience on these roads to help Wilco afterwards.”