Wilco Kelderman embraces domestique role as he prepares to support Vingegaard in 2026 season

Dutch veteran says tougher winter training and team focus give him motivation ahead of another year with Team Visma | Lease a Bike

Wilco Kelderman has made peace with his role as one of the most reliable domestiques in the peloton, and the experienced Dutch rider says he is fully motivated to support Jonas Vingegaard and the other leaders of Visma | Lease a Bike once again in the 2026 season. After a winter that included a slightly different training approach, the 34-year-old believes he is heading into the new year in strong condition.

Kelderman, who is entering his fourth consecutive season with the Dutch team, explained that the preparation went smoothly, something he values more than ever at this stage of his career.

“I had a good winter. I didn’t get sick and I was able to do everything. That means you go into the season with a good feeling,” Kelderman told AD.

The main change compared to previous years was the way the team approached training. According to the Dutchman, the focus has shifted towards higher intensity and more efficient work.

“We started training differently: harder. Nutrition is better, more intensity, and really taking that extra step,” he said.

“We’re doing slightly more sessions just above endurance pace. Harder blocks, more intensity, and slightly fewer really long rides. I do like that really hard training.”

The veteran rider also pointed out that he and Vingegaard understand each other well, partly because they are in a similar stage of life and because of Kelderman’s own past as a general classification contender.

“I have a lot of experience by now, and we’re also a bit in the same phase of life, both with young children. We understand each other well. We often don’t need many words. I used to ride for general classification myself, so I know exactly what a leader needs.”

Vingegaard’s ambitions remain as high as ever, and Kelderman confirmed that the Dane is still looking for new challenges in his preparation, including a different build-up towards the Tour de France.

“He wants to win all three Grand Tours. He has often followed the same build-up to the Tour, so he is also looking for new stimuli again,” Kelderman said, referring to the plan that could see Vingegaard ride the Giro d’Italia for the first time before targeting the Tour.

For Kelderman himself, the focus is now clearly on helping the team, but he insists that being a domestique still requires top form.

“I’m one of the older riders in the team these days, and I get a lot of energy from helping others. But nowadays it’s not that simple: you still need the legs yourself to do that job properly.”

The Dutchman also made it clear that he has no regrets about putting his own ambitions aside if it helps the team win.

“If a teammate can win and I have to sacrifice myself, I do that with love. In the end, cycling is much more of a team sport than people sometimes think.”