Wilco Kelderman (Belkin) had an unfortunate final day in Ireland in today's third stage of the Giro d'Italia as the Belkin captain crashed twice. Luckily he escaped both incidents without major injuries on a day where his teammate Maarten Tjallingii did a fantastic effort to extend his lead in the mountains classification.

Maarten Tjallingii of Belkin Pro Cycling TEAM defended his climber's jersey in Sunday's 187km third stage from Armagh to Dublin, but GC captain Wilco Kelderman crashed twice. Kelderman was involved in two pileups on narrow Irish roads, including a spill with about 30km to go that left the 23-year-old suffered cuts and scrapes to his hip and knee. Kelderman did not appear seriously injured, and finished with the main GC group at 11 seconds behind winner Marcel Kittel. 

"He crashed twice, so that's not good, but we think he's OK. At least he didn't lose time to the other favorites," Belkin Sport Director Frans Maassen. "The rest day is Monday, and the next day is easy, so that will help everyone recover." 

Just as he promised, Tjallingii rode into the day's main breakaway to defend his climber's jersey he won in Saturday's stage. The group was eventually reeled in, but Tjallingii will carry the prestigious climber's jersey back to Italy. 

"We didn't want to spend too much energy defending the jersey, but Maarten was feeling good to get into the breakaway," Maassen said. "He will be able to keep the jersey for another day or two in Italy." 

With no rated climbs in Tuesday's fourth stage, Tjallingii will race with the King of the Mountains jersey uncontested until Wednesday's hillier fifth stage, featuring three climbs that will be prove more challenging to defend. 

Belkin rider Jetse Bol was also involved in the same crash as Kelderman, and a day after punching to 11th in the bunch sprint, missed out on a chance Sunday. 

"There was a crash with 30km to go, that same where Wilco was involved, and the first thing was to take care of him. And my bike was broken, so I never came back to the peloton," Bol said. "The focus of the team is on Wilco. It will be a bit fighting for myself in these sprints. I am not going to win a stage, but maybe I can get into the top 10 once or twice. The mood is good. Everyone is ready for warmer weather in Italy."

Belkin's riders and staff will fly Monday morning to southern Italy during the first of three rest days. The 97th Giro clicks back into gear Tuesday with the shortest stage in this year's Giro, 112km from Giovinazzo to Bari. Another bunch sprint will be in the cards.