Marc Reef defends Wilco Kelderman's poor time trial performance after altitude camp: "Such a first effort is always difficult"

Wilco Kelderman is back from altitude camp with Jumbo-Visma to ride just his second race of 2023. In the opening time trial, the Dutch rider probably hoped for more than just 56th place, far from the best. However, his sports director remains optimistic for upcoming stages in an interview for In de Leiderstrui.

“We have just come from a height, have trained well there. Such a first effort is always difficult, as it turns out again," sports director Marc Reef tries to find a reason behind mediocre timetrial performance by Kelderman.

"I don't think that had any effect. More riders have been at altitude and the conditions were not optimal everywhere. Nor should we take these differences too seriously. Of course you would prefer it to be the other way around."

"I don't think Wilco is disappointed. He rode the time trial, got the most out of it, but I think we can only take stock after two mountain stages. Only then can you draw conclusions based on how you are doing and what you feel. Wilco is also still preparing for what is coming in July," he refers to the Tour de France, where Kelderman should start as a substitute for injured Steven Kruijswijk.