27/12/2022

"There are still many things I can do" - Bauke Mollema still has plenty left in the tank

Experienced Dutchman Bauke Mollema may be 36 years old but the Trek - Segafredo rider believes he still has plenty left in the tank. "There are still many things I can do."

A six-time Top 10 finisher at Grand Tours, in recent years Mollema has focused more on trying to pick up stage wins from breakaways. "I have enforced my role in the team in recent years, with stage wins in grand tours and some other victories. The team also trusts that I can still do that," he says to In de Leiderstrui. Alongside his role as a potential stage winner, Mollema has also grown into something of a mentor role within the Trek-Segafredo team. "I really try to help Skjelmose and teach him things, and I also stayed with him when things went a bit less in the Giro. He is really super professional and focused, he lives like a pro," Mollema says.

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One thing the Dutchman does not enjoy is winter training. "My winter was basically the same as always. I always ride to Lombardy and after that I have cycled less than five hours in thirty days. I did some running, but I never really do anything in the winter," he says. "I have sometimes not cycled at all for four weeks, but when we start again, I immediately start well. Then it's just another two days of income and then it's fine again."

With a contract that runs until 2026, does Mollema believe he can still make an impact in the biggest races? "I will continue to go to many races to try to win, although in races such as Liège and the Amstel I will have to be a bit lucky with the course of the race. I still don't feel like I got any less in 2022, even though it wasn't a super year. There are still many things I can do."