Twenty-three year old Bauke Mollema capped off a brilliant 2010 with a hard fought 13th place finish on Saturday in Como. The talented Dutchman attacked on the newly introduced Colma di Sormano climb and shredded the group of favorites even further with his pushing. Unfortunately, he wasn't able to hold his lead on the descent, and from there, it was a slow drift backwards, as the efforts of the 260 kilometer day began to show.
With 50 kilometers to go though, Mollema was at the head of affairs and dictating the race. When asked by Rabobank team website, Rabosport, whether it was his intention to go solo, the young winner of a stage at the Tour of Poland replies to the contrary.
"Not so much to go solo. It was still too far, but at the time I wanted to make the race harder. Looking at how many remained, I wanted to perhaps get a small group going. I tried to do that and actually went uphill really well. I did not weaken, as I thought I might."
Unfortunately for Mollema, no one followed his hot pace on the cold, wet slopes of the Colma di Sormano. While his solo effort was not destined to make it all the way to Como, it did give him a headstart on the terrible freefall back down to Lago di Como and the town of Nesso. Unfortunately for Mollema though, his lead was not nearly enough to see him to the lake before he was caught and left behind by the daredevil descents of both Philippe Gilbert and Michele Scarponi.
"I was really careful. It would have been madness to take risks, and I was very cold. More or less, I was seized by the cold. It was so dreadful in that descent [of the Colma di Sormano]. They caught me on the descent and rode right by me - it was just not possible for me to link up with them. I'm glad that I could stay on my bike. I ended up in the second group. That's not bad…yet?"
Twenty kilometers later, the 12th place overall finisher at this May's Giro d'Italia met his match with the climb of the San Fermo della Battaglia.
"I was so cold in the last eight kilometers, that last climb [the San Fermo] was especially too hard for me. At the base, I was still in the chasing group with Nibali and Sanchez, but suddenly the power was gone. I started drifting. I was shivering with the cold on my bike and could not see out of my eyes. It was cold in the grueling finale. It was just too much for me, but I felt really good for a long time."
Eighth place at the Giro del Gran Piemonte and 13th at the Giro di Lombardia capped off an excellent season of growth for Mollema. The Rabobank climber will head into the offseason with newfound confidence in his ever growing capabilities, but the first step when he spoke with Rabosport after the race on Saturday was simply thawing out.
"I am satisfied with my race, and soon, it will be even better. I am still too numb though to think other thoughts. It was a hellish race."