Wilco Kelderman began Paris-Nice today with a 14th place finish in the prologue in Maurepas, France. Team LottoNL-Jumbo’s GC leader completed the 6.7-kilometre course in 7-56 minutes, 16 seconds behind winner Michal Kwiatkowski (Etixx-Quick Step).

“I was good, but not great,” Kelderman explained. “I didn't really win time over my rivals, but neither did they. Except for Kwiatkowski, who rode a phenomenal time trial. I’d hoped for a little bit more, but this position provides enough opportunities.”

Merijn Zeeman
“I’ve analyzed Wilco’s Pioneer Powerfile together with Jan Boven and our time trial specialist, Mathieu Heijboer,” said Sports Director Merijn Zeeman. “It proved that Wilco did fine. Technically he was excellent and his power output was OK, as well."

Zeeman knows that Kelderman needs to be attentive over the week in order to do well in the overall. “Every day is tough and there’s always something that could happen. And things will undoubtedly happen. Therefore, we need to shift our focus directly to tomorrow.”

Monday
The pack will head from Saint-Remy-les-Chevreuse to Contres on Monday. “I did a recon on this stage,” Zeeman said. “Wind could have been a factor, but there is none forecasted. The peloton will start the final relatively fresh, so things could get nervous. We need to pay attention. Hopefully Moreno can be in the sprint. He’s feeling better and better the last two days.”