Kelderman attacks and crashes in the Tour de France’s stage 20
Wilco Kelderman was in front of the peloton the whole day during the final mountain stage of the Tour de France. The Team LottoNL-Jumbo rider was among the best climbers during the final climb to Joux Plane, but was dropped by stage winner Jon Izaguirre (Movistar) in the end. Kelderman crashed afterwards, in the final descent and finished seventh.
“Wilco Kelderman escaped immediately in the first kilometre of the stage,” Sports Director Merijn Zeeman said. “They broke away with a big group of 36 riders. Bert-Jan Lindeman was part of that group as well, but he was dropped afterwards. Thirty riders were able to stay in front, eventually with George Bennett among them. When the breakaway fell apart, George set the pace on the Col de la Ramax to bring Wilco back in the race. That succeeded.”
Technical
On the Col de Joux Plane, a man-against-man fight arose between the best climbers of the breakaway.
“Wilco had to let Izaguirre go and crossed the top of the mountain in fourth position,” Zeeman continued. “The descent was very technical and slippery because of the rain. He was back at 15 seconds on the descent, but missed a turn with one kilometre to go.”
“Just before the final kilometre, a sharp turn appeared suddenly,” Kelderman added. “My wheel slipped away on a white stripe and I rode into the fences at 60 kilometres an hour.
“I fell on my back and it hurt so much that I wasn’t able to push hard anymore. I’m only suffering some scrapes and bruises fortunately, so I don’t have too much damage.
“I gave everything and fought for what I was capable of. When I crashed, I was in fifth position and that would have been the best possible place today.”
Resilient
According to Zeeman, Kelderman delivered a beautiful stage. “He faced a difficult Tour de France, but he was competing to win the stage today. He should be proud of that. Wilco deserves a compliment for his combativeness. He proved to be resilient.”
“Wilco Kelderman escaped immediately in the first kilometre of the stage,” Sports Director Merijn Zeeman said. “They broke away with a big group of 36 riders. Bert-Jan Lindeman was part of that group as well, but he was dropped afterwards. Thirty riders were able to stay in front, eventually with George Bennett among them. When the breakaway fell apart, George set the pace on the Col de la Ramax to bring Wilco back in the race. That succeeded.”
Technical
On the Col de Joux Plane, a man-against-man fight arose between the best climbers of the breakaway.
“Wilco had to let Izaguirre go and crossed the top of the mountain in fourth position,” Zeeman continued. “The descent was very technical and slippery because of the rain. He was back at 15 seconds on the descent, but missed a turn with one kilometre to go.”
“Just before the final kilometre, a sharp turn appeared suddenly,” Kelderman added. “My wheel slipped away on a white stripe and I rode into the fences at 60 kilometres an hour.
“I fell on my back and it hurt so much that I wasn’t able to push hard anymore. I’m only suffering some scrapes and bruises fortunately, so I don’t have too much damage.
“I gave everything and fought for what I was capable of. When I crashed, I was in fifth position and that would have been the best possible place today.”
Resilient
According to Zeeman, Kelderman delivered a beautiful stage. “He faced a difficult Tour de France, but he was competing to win the stage today. He should be proud of that. Wilco deserves a compliment for his combativeness. He proved to be resilient.”
