Bauke Mollema didn’t quite meet the expected performance in 2023. The 37-year-old cyclist faced challenges in making a significant impact in the Vuelta a España or the Giro d’Italia. Lidl-Trek team director Steven De Jongh has now issued a warning to the Dutch cyclist.
A forgettable 2023
“Bauke, and I can be honest about it, did not have the best season that we expect from him. It was a tough year, so it depends a lot on how Bauke will ride,” said De Jongh regarding Mollema’s prospects for 2024.
“If he reaches his form and level before 2023, he will be eligible for many competitions and will act in a role similar to Robert Gesink. If he doesn’t reach his level, it will be very difficult for Bauke to compete in a Grand Tour.”
Mollema as a domestique for 2024
While his days of contending for the overall victory in Grand Tours may be behind him, Mollema has still been a consistent threat, contending for stage victories 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’s not naive and knows how the flag is hanging. He will be motivated to show what he can still do.”
“He himself said that he wouldn’t mind becoming a domestique, and it was the first time he said that. He was still one of our leaders in 2023, but it’s good that he said this.”
“Now we know that he really wants this, but it means he also needs to reach his domestique level. He is very motivated not to let a year like 2023 happen again. You should never count out Bauke; he really can still do it,” concluded the team director.