Martijn Keizer finished 22nd in the third stage of the Tour de Romandie today in Switzerland. In the individual time trial, with a tough climb, he only finished 44 seconds behind stage winner Thibaut Pinot (FDJ). Wilco Kelderman placed 31st.

“We were expecting better results than this,” Sports Director Frans Maassen said. “Wilco Kelderman wasn’t able to make the difference uphill, which he normally can. If he was having a superb day, he might have been able to move up some places in the general classification, but he didn’t.

"Steven Lammertink delivered a strong time trial, on the other hand. He was fast on the flat parts of the race and stabilised uphill. It was the same story for Martijn Keizer.”

Measure

Keizer was the fastest Team LottoNL-Jumbo rider eventually and was satisfied with his performance. “I knew that it was going to be a tough one today,” he added. “There was a real climb in it. I gave it all uphill and this is the result. The 22nd place doesn’t mean anything in the end, but it’s still a confirmation for me. I’ve trained well on my road to the Giro d’Italia. A time trial is the best measure you can have, so this gives me a positive feeling.”

On Saturday, the queen stage of the Tour de Romandie is scheduled. “The decisive part will be on the final two climbs,” Maassen said. “The bunch should control the race at such a level that it’s not an option to send Wilco in the early break.”