A new jersey, a new bike and a new set of objectives for any rider can do wonders, and although Wilco Kelderman could not come away with the glory on stage 2 of the Tour Down Under, the sight of him attacking on the final climb was enough to unearth shoots of growth as the Dutchman looks to restart his career at Sunweb.
Kelderman has suffered since a breakthrough season that saw him claim fourth in the Dauphine and seventh in a super tough Giro d'Italia. Crashes in form and confidence took their toll in the years since and the consensus within the Dutch media was that he needed a change of scene.
"I wanted to go for the victory and not wait," he told Cyclingnews at the end of stage 2.
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Kelderman was the first rider to attack on the final climb of the day, grinding away from his rivals as the gradient started to creep skywards. Richie Porte used the Dutchman to slingshot clear before Kelderman tightened up and finished in the next group of favourites in 18th place. No victory but the willingness to attack was there to see.
"The team did a really good job to protect me all day. When the climb started I was at the front. I followed Richie and then went over him but he followed me and I couldn't go again. He was way better and I was full of lactate. I almost couldn't pedal anymore. Then I came back and finished with the group behind.
"It was a good first hard stage," he said between swigs of water.
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