Wilco Kelderman lost the leader’s jersey when the Tour de Suisse climbed up to 2700 metres to finish in Sölden today. LottoNL-Jumbo’s captain could not follow the favourites group to the summit finish, arrived two minutes behind winner Tejay Van Garderen (BMC) and fell to ninth place at 1-39 minutes behind new leader Warren Barguil (Giant Alpecin).

 "It was a really bad day, I was just not good enough," Kelderman said of stage seven. "I was immediately at my limit and my legs weren’t going. At that point, you have to go at your own pace."

"Until the final climb, there were no problems,” Sports Director Jan Boven added. “A breakaway drove off without dangerous men in it. We controlled the race relatively easily. We quietly let the gap grow to save our men, and at some point in the chase, Astana and Giant-Alpecin came to help us."

On the final climb, everything changed.

"Kelderman received great team support on the climb, but soon he was in difficulty. He lost ground and began to ride his own uphill time trial to limit losses."

Kelderman found it hard on his own. "Especially in the moments when the wind blew hard,” he said.

Turning to tomorrow’s time trial

“The time trial of tomorrow suits me well. And for a time trial, I'm always motivated. I am looking forward to tomorrow,” Kelderman added. “The overall win or a podium place is difficult now, but I'm definitely going for a top five spot.”

Boven explained, “The time trial on Saturday covers 16 kilometres and features a small climb in the middle. The speed can be kept high, so it suits Wilco.”