Wilco Kelderman will not be aiming to peak for another six months but admits he’s encouraged by his early season form as he captured second place at the Abu Dhabi Tour.

The Dutchman’s main goal for the 2018 season will be success at the Vuelta a Espana at the end of August. But he finished inside the top 50 on each of the five stages in the Emirates, securing second overall behind Movistar veteran Alejandro Valverde.

The Team Sunweb rider has previous Grand Tour form – including finishing fourth at the Vuelta last year, 24 seconds shy of a podium place.

He was also seventh at the Giro d’Italia in 2014, but admits competing at the Vuelta this year is his main aim.

“The Vuelta is more important for me,” said the 26-year-old. “There are opportunities for other riders for the other Grand Tours that the team has. I’m feeling good and looking forward to the Vuelta.”

Although there are six months before the Vuelta, Kelderman is pleased with his form as he heads to Tirreno–Adriatico from March 7–13 and the Volta a Catalunya from March 19–25.

“Every race is important. Not just the Vuelta,” added the 2015 Dutch time trial champion.

“Tirreno-Adriatico and Catalunya are also very important for me. They are big races coming up where I need to be good.

“I’m pleased with where I’m at, at this stage of the season. I had a really good winter and trained hard. There were no issues and for the first race it’s pretty good.”

He was close to victory on Stage 5 but admitted Spanish icon Valverde and Colombia’s Miguel Angel Lopez, who finished second, were just too good.

“I wanted to win, I tried and I was going for it, but they were just too strong,” added Kelderman, who did at least finish above Lopez in the GC, 17 seconds behind Valverde.