Mollema struggled to get back on track after missing Tour de France: "Last month didn't go great"

Grand tour number 23, but only his fifth in the Vuelta a España. Bauke Mollema is back in the stage race for the first time since 2018, a race he often skipped in recent years due to competing in both the Giro and the Tour. However, after being passed over by Lidl-Trek for the Tour, he's back, albeit not in top form. IDLProCycling.com caught up with Mollema at the team presentation.

Hi Bauke, how are you doing right now? Ready for another grand tour?

"Well, I have to be, haha. We'll see what kind of shape I'm in."

Now, you're usually pretty level-headed, but honestly, how did you feel watching the Tour de France from home for the first time since 2010?

"Well, the first few days were tough to watch, especially missing the start in the Basque Country. I would have loved to have been there. After that, I watched quite a few stages, as a fan and hoping the team did well."

Have you discussed the situation with the team in the past few weeks? Or was it just the announcement that you wouldn't be in the Tour and that's it?

"No, we haven't talked about it anymore."

Doesn't that seem off for a rider of your stature?

"We did talk about it at the time, but then it's also done. There's not much else to discuss after that."

Before the Tour, you said you understood the decision and that you should have performed better. What have you done in recent weeks to prove everyone wrong?

"Well, I don't know if I've done much about it. I've tried to train well this summer, but it hasn't quite worked out. The last month hasn't been great, and my form has been better before..."

Are there specific reasons for this?

"I was a little sick last week, and training sessions didn't go optimally in the last weeks. There were also other factors, so I won't be in top form during the initial days. Hopefully, I can grow into it as the race goes on."

Will you have a free role in this Vuelta, or will you also be working for a potential classification for Juan Pedro López?

"We haven't discussed the details yet, not even if Juanpé is going for a classification. We'll have that discussion on Friday, but we also have Edward Theuns for the sprints, and he's doing well and is ready. Juanpé feels good after a disappointing Tour and wants to test himself on the third day in Andorra. We'll see what happens from there."

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What do you think of the new sponsor Lidl, especially the jersey?

"It took some getting used to at first, but I've grown to like the jersey more and more. I thought it appeared very flashy in the first photos, but seeing it myself..."

With the new sponsor, a lot of new riders are being signed for 2024. Are you worried that your role might change?

"Oh no, not at all. It's great that we're becoming a stronger team overall next year. We're getting Jonathan Milan and Tao Geoghegan Hart as new leaders, and maybe more will follow. That's only a good thing; it's nice to be part of that as a rider."

Back to your current form... Do you have confidence that we'll see the old Bauke again towards the second and third weeks?

"Yes, I do have that confidence. And after the Vuelta, there are more good things to come, even though that's still far away. I'm still getting used to it, especially the heat. I've been training in the Netherlands for a month, so I haven't done any high-altitude training, uphill training, or heat adaptation. I was quickly struggling a bit today (Thursday), so I'll need about five days to get into it."

Lastly, as a journalist, I have to ask because you mentioned there were other factors affecting your current form. Do you want to say anything about that?

"Nah, I don't have anything else to say about that."

Then I wish you a good Vuelta!

"Yeah, thank you!"