Wilco Kelderman will lead Team LottoNL-Jumbo in its general classification fight in the Tour de Romandie next week in Switzerland. Besides Kelderman, the Dutch team has Moreno Hofland for the bunch sprints.

“We have something special to look forward to every day in the Tour de Romandie,” Sports Director Frans Maassen explained. “We’re starting with a prologue, where we have Wilco Kelderman, Jos van Emden, Victor Campenaerts, Martijn Keizer and Steven Lammertink who are eager to deliver a good result. The other men are able to save their energy for the stages that are possibly going to end up in a bunch sprint. We have Moreno Hofland for those days.

“Wilco is our front man for the general classification. He has to be able to deliver a strong prologue and grab a spot with the top favourites in the mountain stages.”

Time trials

Kelderman is going to Switzerland confidently. “It went well during the Vuelta al Pais Vasco, and the Tour de Romandie is one of my targets this year,” he said. “The stage schedule suits me, with two time trials in it. The prologue is important immediately. I’m satisfied with my time trials this year, so I want to score on those days in the Tour de Romandie.

“I have a strong team around me, as well. Martijn Keizer and Jos van Emden are experienced riders who are able to support me.”

Line-up:

Victor Campenaerts, Jos van Emden, Steven Lammertink, Moreno Hofland, Martijn Keizer, Wilco Kelderman, Alexey Vermeulen and Dennis van Winden.

Sports Directors:

Frans Maassen and Nico Verhoeven.