Following yesterday evening's time trial win, Wilco Kelderman (Belkin) finished safely in the bunch in today's final flat stage of the Tour of Denmark and thus secured his first big stage race win. Having confirmed his potential as a future stage race rider, the talented Dutchman has now set his sights on the Eneco Tour on home soil.
Wilco Kelderman has long been regarded as one of the brightest stage racing talents in the world and had a very promising first year as a professional. Having already finished 17th in the Giro d'Italia earlier this year while working for Robert Gesink, he gave pundits another reason to praise him when he secured the overall win of the Tour of Denmark today.
The win was his first in a major stage race and it was no surprise that it was mainly based on his victory in yesterday's time trial which was enough for him to take the jersey. Having already impressed in the race against the clock in his short career, he once again underlined his formidable talents in that discipline by denying home favourite Lars Bak (Lotto-Belisol) the overall win.
"It was a big surprise to win the time trial Saturday. It was a flat, short course, but I think it was my best time trial of my career. It was really surprising, and that put me in the yellow jersey," he said. "It's really great to win here with the new team. They controlled the race for me and protected me all day. It was nice to ride in the yellow jersey."
Unfortunately, there was no time to celebrate as it was straight back to the airport to get back to the Netherlands to concentrate on his future objectives.
"This is my first pro victory, so I am very happy," he said. "I have had no time to celebrate. Maybe we can find a restaurant here at the airport. I am so happy with the victory. And even more important was the team support, which I like most."
Today's flat stage could have been one for Theo Bos who has won the final stage of the Danish tour earlier in his career. However, it was all for Kelderman today.
"The team did an awesome job for Wilco today. There was a breakaway of five guys and it was controlled from behind, so it was just what we wanted," sports director Michiel Elijzen said. "The GC with Wilco was the main target today. We are so happy to have made it to the finish without crashes or punctures."
Belkin and its predecessors have fostered many young Dutch talents and Kelderman is just the most recent name on a long lost that also includes Robert Gesink, Bauke Mollema and Steven Kruijswijk.
"He has a bright future. He's a real talent and it's an important victory. He's an all-rounder and he's progressing well," Elijzen said. "He'll keep growing stronger, and he will be one of the main leaders for the big races for the future. He's a real pro, he's talented, and he works so hard."
Kelderman will now target the Eneco Tour which is partly a home race as it is held on both Dutch and Belgian soil. With his current form, he will try to finish high on GC in the race that was last year won by teammate Lars Boom.
"That's also a big goal for Wilco," Elijzen said. If he has the same shape he had in Denmark, he will be one of the top riders."
Yesterday's stage and today's overall win had a special significance for Belkin as it was the first under the current name.
"It's all about results. Winning the time trial yesterday, and the GC today, it's a nice step for Belkin," Elijzen said. "These are good wins, and we hope the first of many. It's the start of something beautiful for the team."
The team will get its next chance to add to the tally in the Arctic Tour of Norway which starts on Thursday and in which the squad will be led by home rider Lars Petter Nordh
29.03: La Route Adélie de VItré |
30.03: The Bueng Si Fai |
30.03: Gran Premio Miguel Indurain |
30.03: Volta Limburg Classic |
31.03: Ronde van Vlaanderen |
31.03: Ronde van Vlaanderen |
29.03 - 01.04: Ster van Zuid Limburg |
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