Kelderman extends contract with Visma | Lease a Bike: "My role has changed a bit in recent years"

Kelderman's professional career began with his current team, Rabobank's development team. The rider from Barneveld made his professional debut there and remained with the WorldTour team until 2016. After six years riding for Sunweb and BORA-hansgrohe, he returned to his old nest in 2023. Kelderman has not been active in this year's Tour de France, the big race he would have liked to ride.

Head of Racing Grischa Niermann is delighted that the Dutch rider has extended his contract with the team. “Wilco is a great person and rider who has built an impressive palmarès,” said Niermann on the team website. “In Grand Tours, he is still among the best climbers in the world. Over the years, his role has evolved, and he’s always shown great dedication to supporting his team leaders. All of these are reasons why we wanted to keep him on board longer. We're very happy that he feels the same way. Together, we believe there are still many great years ahead for him.”

The 34-year-old Kelderman finished third in the Giro d'Italia in 2020, fourth in the Vuelta a España (2017), and fifth in the Tour de France (2021). The rider is happy with his contract extension. “I feel at home in this team: with the riders, the staff, and the fans,” says Kelderman. “I enjoy working with everyone, and this team really suits me. I want to get the most out of my career and keep looking for ways to improve.”

At Visma | Lease a Bike, Kelderman will continue to chase his first professional stage win. So far, the climber has three time trial victories and one overall victory to his name. “My role has changed a bit in recent years, and I try to support and help the younger riders on the team as well. At the same time, I want to remain part of the squad that fights for big victories, whether in the Tour or other Grand Tours, in a supporting role. And I still want to pursue my own ambitions at certain moments as well.”