Wilco Kelderman will be Team LottoNL-Jumbo’s leader in the 95th edition of the Volta Ciclista a Catalunya next week. The Dutchman hopes to bounce back in Spain, where he will be assisted by a strong group.

Sports Director Frans Maassen is clear about the team’s ambitions. “Wilco is our man for the overall. We want to do well in the general classification, that’s our goal. We want to finish as high as possible. It’s hard to say a specific number.

“Wilco wasn’t bad in Paris-Nice, otherwise he wouldn’t have finished 15th, but of course we want to do better.”

Wilco Kelderman
Kelderman agrees. “I was inconsistent in Paris-Nice, unfortunately. I hope to leave Paris-Nice behind me in Catalonia and show that I was on the right track.

“I am aiming for a good overall. It is difficult to predict what is possible because the field is very strong, but I’m looking forward to some nice uphill battles.”

Pleased with support
Kelderman is pleased with the support he will receive in Catalonia. “We travel to Spain with a strong team. A bit of a free-spirited team, we have quite a few guys who know how to attack.

“Moreover, Steven Kruijswijk got better and better by the day in Paris-Nice. He’s full of confidence.”

The Volta Ciclista a Catalunya starts on March 23 in Calella. Seven days later, the race finishes in Barcelona.

Team line-up:
George Bennett, Brian Bulgac, Laurens ten Dam, Martijn Keizer, Wilco Kelderman, Steven Kruijswijk, Nick van der Lijke & Timo Roosen.

Sports Directors:
Frans Maassen & Mathieu Heijboer.