“I will not miss the suffering anymore!”: Bauke Mollema brings 18-year professional career to an emotional close at Il Lombardia
Cycling
Bauke Mollema’s final day as a professional cyclist ended far from the podium, but the Dutchman had chosen Il Lombardia for reasons that went well beyond his finishing position. After crossing the line in 114th place in Como on Saturday, the 39-year-old brought a career spanning almost two decades to a close at the race that delivered his greatest victory.
For Mollema, the result was secondary. His final appearance at the Monument was about returning to a place with a special meaning in his career, sharing the occasion with the Lidl-Trek organization he had represented for more than a decade, and leaving the sport on his own terms.
“That’s still my biggest victory, the highlight of my career. I love this race,” Mollema said, reflecting on his 2019 triumph. “It’s so demanding, one of the hardest with the most meters of climbing. Plus I love Italy with the enthusiastic fans and the way that you always have to expect the unexpected. Anything can happen in Italy.”
Mollema had wanted his last race to be Il Lombardia for some time, and the finish offered a personal connection to the defining moment of his career. His 2019 victory came after a solo attack on the Civiglio, where he distanced his rivals before holding off the chase on the descent and into Como.
Mollema has 18 professional wins
From a Monument winner to a final farewell
Mollema turned professional in 2008 with Rabobank and spent the final 11 seasons of his career within the Trek organization, which later became Lidl-Trek.
His palmarès includes two Tour de France stage victories, a stage win at the Vuelta a España, the Clásica San Sebastián in 2016 and, above all, Il Lombardia in 2019. He also finished sixth overall at the 2013 Tour de France and fifth at the 2019 Giro d’Italia.
“I really wanted to stop here in Lombardia. It was always in my mind that it would be my last race, so I’m grateful to the team that I can say goodbye here at a race that means so much to me,” he said.
“It will be special to finish in Como too, because that’s where I won. It’s been a long journey to get here, but I’ve made so many friends and had so many good moments in my career.”
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“Enjoy it for a little bit longer”
Mollema was particularly clear about one part of professional cycling he will not miss: the relentless physical demands of staying competitive.
“I will not miss the suffering anymore!” he laughed. “In the last few years you’ve had to suffer more and more to be on a good level in the races so I will be happy not to have to train everyday. I will still ride my bike and do some other sports as well, having the freedom to do that will be nice.”
His comments reflect a wider challenge for riders in a sport where the level of competition continues to rise and the demands of training and racing leave little room for recovery. Mollema’s advice to younger cyclists was not to lose sight of the enjoyment that first draws people to the sport.
“I see a lot of young guys now who are so focused, and I think they need to remember to really enjoy it. Those good moments and a good result, enjoy it for a little bit longer. Don’t be scared to take time off, recharge the batteries, don’t just keep going with the blinkers on. Like that, you can have a long career,” he said.
As for what comes next, he has no detailed plan. “I just want to take it easy, be with my family,” he concluded. “I will stay fit and always ride my bike because I love that feeling of being outside. Maybe it will just be short rides and coffee rides with friends. I want to enjoy life.”
Félix SernaCycling Journalist
Félix Serna is a writer at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2025. He covers professional cycling across both the men’s and women’s calendars, with a focus on UCI rankings, race developments, and rider performance. His work includes interview-based reports, liveblogs, and tournament coverage designed to provide clear, accurate context throughout the season.
In his reporting, Félix regularly uses ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical reference. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. He holds a bachelor’s degree in International Studies.
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