Wilco Kelderman is fast becoming a name to look out for as he grows into the leadership role at Belkin Pro Cycling.

Two days in the white jersey at last year’s Giro d’Italia put his name out there and he has not let the team down so far this season. Only an ill-timed mechanical cost him a shot at a podium place at Paris-Nice, and now at the Giro he finds himself eight overall after nine stages, just 1’45” off Cadel Evans’ lead.

Furthermore, with team-mate and co-leader Steven Kruijswijk abandoning stage nine, Kelderman now finds himself as the undoubted man in charge at Belkin. Though Kruijswijk’s loss means he will be without one of his leading support men, the likes of Jetse Bol and Rick Flens remain in the race despite bad crashes and Kelderman now faces a big opportunity to push on in the next two weeks and seal the biggest result of his career.