Having finished a superb fourth in the Vuelta a España and won the points classification there, young Dutch rider Bauke Mollema has said that he is keen to return to the Tour de France next season and to see how he can do.
The 25 year old made his debut in the race in July, his expectations boosted by his Grand Tour debut in the 2010 Giro where he was twelfth, plus his fifth place overall in the Tour de Suisse.
His ambitions were knocked by illness and he finished back in 70th place, but he underlined his true worth when he performed very strongly in the Vuelta. The Tour will now be his big target in 2012, and there’s a chance he could return to the Spanish Grand Tour afterwards.
His characteristics mean that he could aim for a high finish but when asked if he would prefer a top three finish in the Tour during his career or victory in the Spanish race, he’s clear which would take priority. “I would choose first in the Vuelta. A win is always a victory,” he told the Revista Desde La Cuneta
“I like the Vuelta. I've always liked racing in Spain and have had very good results there. I also think that the Vuelta is well adapted to my characteristics.”
His confidence comes after his big performance in August and September. He admits that he exceeded his own expectations, and so the result was a very pleasant surprise
“I hoped to be top ten, as many do, but nothing more,” he admitted, speaking of that breakthrough Vuelta ride. “The podium was not an objective beforehand, but then the race was going well for us and I could finish fourth, which made me very happy. Also I got the green jersey in Madrid, which rounded out my performance and that of the team.”
Mollema stepped up a level all round in 2011. Aside from the aforementioned performances in the Vuelta and Tour de Suisse, he was also second overall in the Vuelta a Castilla y León and the Giro dell’Emilia, ninth in Paris-Nice and tenth in the Volta a Catalunya.
It means that along with team-mate Robert Gesink, he’s one of Rabobank’s big guns for the future. There’s still a lot of discovery ahead, though, and he admits that he can’t predict how he could do. “I have no idea,” he admitted. “We will see where that limit is any. I hope it is somewhat higher than it is now. That would be a good sign (laughs).”
Mollema is determined to work hard, and is clear on what areas he could benefit in. “In general I think I could improve by gaining experience and being stronger in all facets of cycling,” he said. “Above all, from my point of view, is to know how to suffer more. I want to improve in the time trial in the coming years, which is key to performing in major stage races.”