Team LottoNL-Jumbo had a great day in the Eneco Tour on Thursday. Jos van Emden won the time trial of the fourth stage and took over Jesper Asselman’s (Team Roompot Oranje Peloton) white jersey.

Wilco Kelderman delivered another strong performance. The Dutch time trial champion set the second fastest time on a 14-kilometer course through Hoogerheide, the Netherlands. He is now second overall behind Van Emden.

“My fifth place in the Tour was nice but winning is something different, especially at WorldTour level,” Van Emden said with a proud smile. “At the moment, I cannot choose between the two yet. I’ll put them equally side by side.

"It was difficult with the wind. I started calmer so that I could go full gas in the end but to actually divide the TT into sections was not really an option.

"It was good for the confidence to show me on the big stage [at the Tour]. Before, I did not think I would ever be good enough to ride the Tour. Now I realize that I can do great things and achieve good results.

"O could only celebrate when the last rider had finished."

Van Emden finished third earlier this year in the national time trial championships, behind his team-mates Kelderman and Rick Flens.

“The team, under the guidance of Mathieu Heijboer, invests a lot of time in time trialling and we invent small innovations all the time.”

Van Emden remained realistic despite being in white now.

“It’s business as usual tomorrow. I won’t start thinking that I can win the race now. I might be able keep the jersey tomorrow but in the Ardennes it’s going to be too difficult for me and as a team, we’ll be riding for Wilco there.”

Mathieu Heijboer was impressed by Van Emden’s race against the clock.

“Especially in the final three or four kilometers, when the road went up and the wind came from the front, Jos really gained time on the others. He’s in good shape at the moment, he was strong in the Tour and has only improved over those three weeks. He’s really been into time trialling again for a few months so he was very motivated for today and also because this distance really suits him.”

Kelderman gained confidence ahead of the tough final days in the Eneco Tour thanks to his second place in Hoogerheide.

“Of course I would have liked to win but finishing second behind Jos is fine as well. I took some time on some other overall riders and I’m in a good position now. That’s a nice bonus. There is still a lot that could happen in this Eneco Tour, but today was certainly good for our moral.”