Wilco Kelderman and Robert Gesink maintained second and ninth overall in the Vuelta Ciclista al País Vasco today. The two climbers of Team LottoNL-Jumbo finished in the first big group of riders in the third stage, won by Stephen Cummings (Dimension Data).

“Wilco and Robert delivered a steady performance today,” Sports Director Addy Engels. “They were in the right position during the day. It was our task to maintain their positions in the general classification. We wanted to use our riders to accomplish that, so there wasn’t any space for being part of the breakaway. If Enrico Battaglin and Paul Martens were able to follow the first group, they could have had a go, but it was too tough for them today.”

Full gas

The stage in the Basque Country ended with three steep climbs, one right after the other. “That hurts more than you would think when you notice that a group of more than 50 riders finished in the same time,” Gesink added. “It went full gas and the group fell apart on top of the final climb, but many riders were able to close the gap during the descent. Wilco and I were behind by a small gap just before the top of the climb, but we were able to bridge it immediately. It was again a big fight for the positions today. Wilco and I came through it quite well.”

Instincts

Thursday, Friday and Saturday will be the decisive days in the general classification of the Vuelta Ciclista al País Vasco. “Tomorrow is going to be very tough and the day after is going to be extremely hard,” Engels said. “We are not going to trouble ourself before the closing time trial with a master plan that brings us the leader’s jersey. We have to keep on riding instinctively. If we’re in the same situation before the final stage, we'll be very happy.”