Giant step for Kelderman in 2017

Promising Dutch general classification rider Wilco Kelderman will transfer his talents to German outfit Giant in 2017.

Wilco Kelderman at the 2016 Tour de France. Source: Getty

Currently riding for LottoNL-Jumbo, Kelderman signed for two years with Giant as it looks to balance its well-known sprinting prowess with general classification credentials.

The team, which will be rebadged as Sunweb-Giant in 2017, recently signed Australians Michael Matthews and Chris Hamilton.

The 25-year-old has placed highly in a number of important races, including 7th overall at the 2014 Giro d'Italia. More recently he finished 8th at the Tour de Suisse and rode solidly into 31st place at the Tour de France. 

“I am very pleased to join Team Giant-Alpecin, taking the next step in my career," Kelderman said.

"The team allows me to grow towards a role as a leader for the Grand Tours, using a gradual approach. They are successful with their philosophy, with an emphasis on science and technology, like the focus on being experts in time trial performance, for example.

"I can learn from the experience they have, as well as from guys like Tom [Dumoulin] and Michael [Matthews], who are from the same generation and having paved the road for me.”

Team plans for Kelderman's racing season include week long WorldTour stage races and a Grand Tour.