On Wednesday, there was no indication of a calm beginning. The race was intense from the start in Monthey, although the first few dozen kilometres were mostly flat. A lead group of eleven cyclists formed at the base of Crans-Montana, but they were eventually caught. On the final climb of nineteen kilometres, the race finally broke loose.

“I felt very strong there. Especially on the first part of the climb”, said Kelderman, who was chasing race leader and eventual stage winner Felix Gall.

“He attacked very early. In the end, we tried to get closer to the group of favourites, but we couldn’t”, the 32-year-old rider said. Kelderman then showed his excellent form and attacked. “I tried to get away, but it was difficult. In the end, I just rode my race and finished among the favourites. This gives me a good feeling, and I look forward to the next few days.”

Tirreno-Adriatico in March was Kelderman's last race. The Jumbo-Visma cyclist seemed to be performing at his peak level in Switzerland. “I hadn’t raced for three months. I wasn’t where I wanted to be last year. This team has brought me back. I’m back to my level and happy to show it again. After Switzerland, I will slow down a bit and hopefully be even better at the Tour de France”, Kelderman concluded.