Wilco Kelderman successfully defended his eighth place overall in the Volta Ciclista a Catalunya today. The talented Dutchman of Team LottoNL-Jumbo finished 14th in stage five.

Alejandro Valverde of Movistar arrived at the line 44 seconds earlier and won the 195-kilometre stage from Alp to Valls. Team Sky’s Richie Porte finished fifth and took over Bart De Clercq’s (Lotto-Soudal) lead in the overall.

Echelons

The riders tackled a second category climb in the final on Wednesday. "But before the climb, we really suffered because strong winds split the pack into echelons,” Kelderman said.

"Thanks to Laurens ten Dam I was in the first group, but I was struggling. On the final climb, I was dropped. I just couldn’t go any faster. I cannot be dissatisfied.”

Mathieu Heijboer
Sports Director Mathieu Heijboer was aware the wind could create trouble. "We were prepared thanks to Weerplaza. The help of Laurens was important, but all men contributed to today.

“Unfortunately, Wilco couldn’t follow on the final climb. We were thinking he could move up in the overall as the race leader was already dropped. Wilco remains eighth overall, but there was something to gain today.”

Saturday
The peloton heads from Cervera to Port Aventura on Saturday. The riders have to complete 194 kilometres and face a first and third category climb.

“The battle for the bonus seconds will be less violent as the time differences are somewhat larger now. They predict a lot of wind again, though. The entire team must be alert.”