For the first time since the Dauphiné, Wilco Kelderman went deep in a big mountain stage when he finished sixth in yesterday's stage of the Tour of Utah. The youngster was pleased with the result in a race that mainly serves as preparation for the Vuelta.

Wilco Kelderman of the Belkin Pro Cycling TEAM sits sixth overall after the first summit finish in the Tour of Utah. The Dutchman placed sixth at 2-06 minutes behind winner and new overall leader, Tom Danielson (Garmin-Sharp).

"It was pretty good, a really hard climb, really steep," Kelderman said. "It was good preparation for the Vuelta, I'm happy with the performance."

"He did well," added Sports Director, Erik Dekker. "It was his first time to go full after a break and it's always hard after a break to do that, but he trained for it."

Kelderman flew the green and black colours for Belkin one day after Moreno Hofland's second stage win in the USA's southwest. He was one of the top riders heading into the final kilometres of the climb and rode alongside Danielson and others like Chris Horner (Lampre-Merida) and Ben Hermans (BMC Racing). Danielson, though, had a kick that no one could respond to at four kilometres remaining in the 168.5-kilometre stage.

"I tried to follow Tom, but he went too fast for me," Kelderman said, "and on a steep climb like that, it's just every man on his own."

He still maintained himself and his place on the road after Danielson flew free. Finishing sixth, he moved from 10th to sixth overall at 2-06 minutes behind the American race leader.

"It was a good day," added Dekker. "We were in the break with Martjin Keizer and later with Maarten Tjallingii, it was good they were there, but we needed to control behind with Garmin. We got Wilco to the final climb, where had to do it on his own in the final."
 

Tomorrow, the race should see the overall standings remain the same with a climb mid-way into the stage to Kamas. The next shake up likely won't come until the weekend, when the riders climb to Snowbird Ski and Summer resort on Saturday. The race finishes Sunday in Park City.

"I hope to get better in the next two stages. I'm thinking of the Vuelta a España," Kelderman added. "You never know what will happen, maybe a stage win or top three overall. I'd be happy with that..."