Dutch climber aiming high on a wave of post Vuelta form
Bauke Mollema will start tomorrow’s il Lombardia as the leader of the Rabobank team, with the 24-year-old Dutch climber looking to capitalise on the good form that he has managed to hold onto since the Vuelta a España. Although a stage victory just evaded him in the Spanish race, a fourth, two thirds and a second place – as well as a day in the race leader’s jersey – saw him finish fourth overall and take the points jersey.
Second place in the recent Giro dell’Emilia, followed by fifth in the GP Beghelli the next day, makes the Dutchman confident of going better than his thirteenth place of last year.
“I’ve been able to carry my good form over from the Vuelta a España,” he confirmed to De Telegraaf. “Il Lombardia suits me well; there will be some long climbs. It’s a tough course with a new climb at the end.”
With the new Lombardia course ending in a steep climb, followed by a technical descent and flat run to the finish, it bears a good resemblance to the seventeenth stage of the Tour de France, between Gap and Pinerolo, Italy. On that day Mollema was only beaten by the strong climbing and fast descending of Edvald Boasson Hagen (Team Sky), but the Dutchman will like his chances of going one better this time.
Last year’s ninth place Carlos Barredo, who was a Quick Step rider at the time, will wear the Rabobank team leader’s number of 191, but this is largely down to the fact that the experienced Spaniard’s name comes first alphabetically. Elsewhere the Dutch team is loaded with strength and climbing talent, including Bram Tankink, Laurens ten Dam, Giro d’Italia ninth place Steven Kruijswijk, and Giro stage winner and pink jersey wearer Pieter Weening.
Rabobank team for il Lombardia
Carlos Barredo, Steven Kruijswijk, Bauke Mollema, Grischa Niermann, Tom-Jelte Slagter, Bram Tankink, Laurens ten Dam and Pieter Weening