"If you are not quite strong enough, it can be nice to support a good leader" - Wilco Kelderman grows accustomed to a teammate role
Cycling
For quite some time, Wilco Kelderman was a leader of his team at the biggest of races. However his transfer to stacked Team Visma | Lease a Bike offered him another perspective on cycling - in a role of domestique with opportunities to focus on smaller objectives.
The Dutch rider started the seasonat the Volta ao Algarve in February, where he assisted to Jonas Vingegaard's overall triumph. How does the experienced rider evaluate season debut on the Portuguese soil? "It went well, although I actually expected a bit more. I had a very good winter. I stayed fit and was able to train well," he tells WielerFlits.
"I felt really good in training, but then you see that a race is something else. The intensity that is there, that is different. So I had hoped for a bit more, but I had a good week. I was able to take a step and that is the most important thing for the other races. I hope to be a step better in the Volta a Catalunya."
In the Spanish race, Kelderman was supposed to ride in support of Jonas Vingegaard, but the Dane crashed in Paris-Nice and was unable to prepare in time for the Catalunya. With what approach does Kelderman actually approach the upcoming races towards the Giro d'Italia? "In the Itzulia Basque Country I do have a free role. There I will see what is possible and what level I can reach."
"I hope to show something nice there. In the Giro I hope to support Olav, Wout and Simon," Kelderman refers to leaders Kooij, Van Aert and Yates. "Who knows, maybe something nice will come out of it for me too, but that's more of a secondary plan."
Where Kelderman used to start a race as a leader himself, there is no longer the pressure of being a leader. Does that take a burden off his shoulders? "I don't mind the pressure, but of course you have to be able to deliver. If you are not quite good enough, it is difficult to keep struggling. Then it is nice to support a good leader, but I do not hesitate to go for a good result myself every now and then."
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Ondrej ZhasilCycling Journalist
Ondřej Zhasil is a cycling journalist at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2023. He is based in Ostrava, the third-largest city in the Czech Republic, and covers professional cycling across the main UCI competitions, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España. A key focus of his work is startlist analysis and pre-race coverage, where he examines team selections, rider line-ups, and tactical scenarios ahead of major events.
Alongside WorldTour coverage, Ondřej has developed specific expertise in junior cycling and in racing across East Asia, including competitions in China and Japan. He also maintains a broad working knowledge of other disciplines and levels, including cyclocross, while continuing to expand his understanding of mountain bike racing.
Ondřej holds a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Physics, which supports his analytical, data-driven approach to performance and race analysis. In his reporting, he regularly uses ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available.
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- That stint in the Pink was so good. If memory serves he struggled with the champagne cuz he'd never been on the podium before. I feel like it gave him some self-belief, and yeah - then the move to Visma to be one of their lieutenants has really brought him to the best version of himself.wrsty12-11-2026
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- gee i hope its a minor injury. a great rider and ambassador for the sport. get well soon Lucinda.
Davide11-11-2026 - some of lidl-treks retention and recruiting has been puzzling in the mens and womens teams.Davide11-11-2026
- Yeah his ride at World's was unreal. Over 6 W/kg for over an hour and a half...he single handedly destroyed the break.DAS11-11-2026
- Exactly, you hit the nail on te head.... Ayuso sucks. 3 to 4 years ago some cycling experts were comparing Ayuso as the "new Pogi"... but he's not even close to him... either physically or mentally. Capish you naive schoolboy?PogiSloFans11-11-2026
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