Kelderman happy to compete against the best at the Vuelta a España

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Wilco Kelderman (Belkin)(Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)

For Wilco Kelderman (Belkin), the late addition of an array of star names to the field for his debut Vuelta a España is a source of motivation rather than of intimidation. Just 23 years of age and in his third season as a professional, Kelderman’s apprenticeship to date has been a smooth one. A solid 17th in his first Giro d’Italia last year, he followed that up with seventh this time around and – perhaps more impressively – fourth in a full-blooded Critérium du Dauphiné straight afterwards.

Barry Ryan was Head of Features at Cyclingnews. He has covered professional cycling since 2010, reporting from the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia and events from Argentina to Japan. His writing has appeared in The Independent, Procycling and Cycling Plus. He is the author of The Ascent: Sean Kelly, Stephen Roche and the Rise of Irish Cycling’s Golden Generation, published by Gill Books.