“A first World Championships in Africa, that really makes me happy” – Bauke Mollema looks ahead to his goals in 2025
Cycling
At 38 years old, Bauke Mollema remains as motivated as ever,
setting ambitious goals for the upcoming season. The Lidl-Trek rider, who has
previously won stages at the Tour de France and Vuelta a España, recently
shared his plans for 2025 in an interview with AD, revealing his excitement for
the season ahead and a unique opportunity later in the year.
Mollema’s season will kick off at the Tour Down Under, a
race he clearly enjoys, "I like the heat. It's great there. Beautiful
racing with beautiful views. Relax, chill, everything is well organised. We're
away for 25 days in total. That's as long as a Grand Tour. But I'm enjoying
myself there. Last year I spent a day on the beach. Did a bit of running. I
even took a flight in a small plane. It's great," he said.
Despite being one of the sport’s elder statesmen, Mollema
emphasised his commitment is still there, "Even after all these years, I
still feel the drive to set goals. It's getting harder to pursue those goals,
but the motivation is still there," he shared.
Looking beyond the start of the season, Mollema’s focus is
firmly set on the World Championships, which will take place in Africa for the
first time.
"If you ask me now which match I'm most looking forward
to next season, it's definitely that World Championships. A first World Championship
in Africa, that really makes me happy. Isn't that great?" he said.
Mollema acknowledged that he has yet to visit the continent,
aside from a holiday in the Seychelles.
"I've never been to Africa. I'm not counting a holiday
in the Seychelles, haha. Although that is formally Africa. But I don't just
want to go there to visit a special continent. I really want to make it a
goal," he explained.
To prepare, Mollema plans to replicate his approach from
previous seasons, "That's why I want to approach it more or less the same
as last year. With maybe two or three altitude training camps in the run-up to
the World Championships. It would be something to really go all out there. It's
hard to have realistic dreams anymore," he admitted.
Fin MajorCycling Journalist
Fin Major is a UK-based writer at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2024. He is the site’s main writer for FAQs and evergreen explainers and has written around 2,000 pieces for the platform. Alongside this work, he focuses on in-depth analysis and covers the biggest races on the calendar, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, providing clear context around performance trends, tactics, and key storylines.
In his reporting, Fin uses reputable data sources such as ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. Outside of writing, Fin is an active cyclist, which supports his practical understanding of the sport and its demands.
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