"If he does not reach his level, it will be very difficult for Bauke to compete in the big races" - Lidl-Trek send warning to Bauke Mollema

Self-admittedly, Bauke Mollema wasn't quite at the level expected of him in 2023. The now 37-year-old struggled to make an impact at either the Vuelta a Espana or the Giro d'Italia and Lidl-Trek director, Steven De Jongh has now sent a warning to the Dutchman.

"Bauke, and I can be honest about that, has not had the top season we have come to expect from him. It was a difficult year and so - with all those guys who have come - it very much depends on how Bauke will ride," De Jongh says of Mollema's hopes for 2024. "If he reaches his form and level before 2023, he will be eligible for many competitions and operate in a role like Robert Gesink. If he does not reach his level, it will be very difficult for Bauke to compete in the big race."

Although his days challenging for overall victory at Grand Tours may be over, Mollema has still been a constant breakaway threat, challenging for stage wins in recent years. "A free role will be difficult in a classification team, but Bauke can be of great value if he reaches his level," says De Jongh. "He is not stupid and knows how the flag hangs. He will be motivated to show what he can still do."

"He said himself that he wouldn't mind becoming a domestique, and that was the first time he said that. He was still one of our leaders in 2023, but it is good that he said this," concludes the director. "Now we know that he really wants that, but that means that he also has to reach his level as a domestique. He is very motivated not to let a year like 2023 happen again. You should never write Bauke off, he really can still do it."