Wilco Kelderman finished 17th in the second stage of the Tour de Romandie today, 57 seconds behind winner Nairo Quintana (Movistar). Team LottoNL-Jumbo’s front man followed the first group for a long time on the final climb, but lost contact when Quintana attacked. The Colombian also grabbed the overall lead.

The second stage of the Tour de Romandie was the first one with an uphill finish. The riders had to climb two mountains in the last 22 kilometres. Kelderman’s team-mates delivered him to the foot of the first of the two climbs.

“What went wrong yesterday ran better today,” Sports Director Nico Verhoeven said. “The team led out Wilco and supported him. Wilco was in good position until Quintana attacked. We wanted a little more than this 17th place, but we can’t blame anyone. We didn’t make a mistake, Wilco wasn’t good enough to stay with the best, unfortunately.”

Tibia causing problems 

Kelderman feared this scenario already before the race. The Dutch climber was still suffering from his crash in Tuesday’s prologue. “My tibia is still swollen and it’s quite painful,” he explained. “I didn’t want to accept that and gave it all today regardless. I can live with it, but I want to improve in the coming days. I was already pushing through my limits when the first group was together today. When Quintana accelerated, I had to let them go, though.”

Climb

Friday’s time trial gives Kelderman an opportunity to win back some time. “It’s a time trial that ideally should suit him,” Verhoeven said. “The climb in it will be decisive. The climbers will also be on the top of the result sheet tomorrow. Wilco won’t be able to win back much time on the climbers, but he has to give it his all. We’ll see what his position is afterwards.”