"This whole trip is a pain in the ass" - Mollema reveals Giro ambitions, dissatisfaction with Hungary Grande Partenza

Trek - Segafredo are heading to the Giro d'Italia with a wide variety of riders, mainly focused on obtaining results in the mountainous and hilly stages which will come aplenty throughout the three weeks. Bauke Mollema has given insight on how he feels about the race, his preparation and the start in Budapest.

“I'm not the youngest anymore," Mollema lightly points out. “The last two weeks I felt a bit stiff as an old man. My back hurt quite a bit, but there were also problems with my ribs and knee. Not perfect, but I was able to finish almost all of my planned workouts. I did build a little more peace. Now we are here and we have to wait and see how my form is," the Dutchman told the press ahead of the Giro d'Italia.

"I am confident that my condition was in order until Liège. But my values ​​were still good in training last week, despite a little less feeling. The condition is still there, I think. Now I hope I can get in a position to win a stage," he added. Mollema is a big piece of Trek - Segafredo for the Giro, as he will likely eye stage wins, or possibly the overall classification. In both situation his performance will be essential for the team's performance in the race, but is confident that good feelings will return soon. 

Mollema hasn't shown top results yet this year, but gave good signs early in the season. He's finished fifth at the 2019 edition which was packed with high-mountain stages, an edition that is rather similar to what the riders will find this year.

Mollema reveals that stage wins are his priority, and that he is less fond of the stress that an overall classification stint involves. "But it is still too early to say which days are suitable for escapees. Is the mountain classification a goal? No definitely not. If you are lucky for a few days and collect a lot of points, then you will be in the mix. So no, that is not a goal at all," he says.

His goals may also revolve around assisting Giulio Ciccone's GC ambitions. The Italian is seeking to be a part of the fight for the pink jersey, and in that case Mollema would be essential support: “Ciccone is going for a good classification. Last year he was also high a few days from the end, until he dropped out. He can do that again now. In the future, Skjelmose can also compete for a top-10 or even higher. Now he is making his debut, so we have to wait and see how he reacts to three weeks of racing," he adds.

He's not been fond of the Grande Partenza in Budapest though, and has been honest about what he feels regarding the departure in Hungary. “I don't really have a Giro feeling yet... During a free ride here we didn't meet many cyclists. I didn't feel very safe here in the traffic.

“This whole trip is a pain in the ass, I find it quite disturbing that we don't start in Italy and have to fly after only three days. The rest day is also not a real rest day, because you have to travel. Flying on Sunday evening would have been nicer, but we don't do that until Monday morning. I am happy when we are in Italy," he concluded.