Bauke Mollema
Encyclopedia
Bauke Mollema is a Dutch
professional cyclist currently riding for Rabobank
. Mollema is a Climbing specialist.
and the Circuito Montañés
. He joined Rabobank's ProTeam in 2008, signing his first contract as a professional. His first notable result was a 6th position in the final classification of the 2008 Vuelta a Castilla y León
. He made his ProTour debut in the 2008 Tour de Romandie, but did not finish the race due to a fall, which resulted in a fractured collarbone. He fully returned in top shape in the 2008 Deutschland Tour
, in which he started as Rabo's team leader, eventually finishing 7th in the GC. After a disappointing spring in 2009, the season was over for Mollema due to Pfeiffer's disease.
in which he made a good impression but fell short of a top 10 classification and winning the young rider competition, partially due to missing out on a break-away of 50 riders in which a lot of direct opponents gained a 12 minutes lead. Mollema continued to ride strong later in the season with a mountain stage win in the Tour de Pologne
and a third place overall after winner Daniel Martin
and runner-up Grega Bole
.
and tenth overall in the Volta a Catalunya. He eventually did not show his good form in the Ardennes classics
and rode disappointing results.
The main objective of Mollema's 2011 season was his first ever Tour de France
. As preparation for the Tour he rode, together with teammate Steven Kruijswijk
, the Tour de Suisse
. Both riders performed extremely well in a strong field. This resulted for Kruijswijk in a podium finish but Mollema fell short for the podium due to a flat tire. Due to illness his GC in the Tour de France was not a succes. In the last week he felt better and tried for a break-away. This resulted in a second place in the 17th stage after Edvald Boasson Hagen
.
Mollema returned to action in his third Grand Tour, the 2011 Vuelta a España
. On the steep uphill finishes in stage 5 and 8 he finished in the top five. He didn't lose any crucial time in the first week and was awarded the red leaders jersey after his second place in stage 9. Due to his weaker time trial skills compared to other GC contenders as Bradley Wiggins
, Chris Froome
and Vincenzo Nibali
he lost the leaders jersey a day after he had won it. Mollema rode extremely strong after the time trial and was heading for a podium position, but the Dutchman fell to a fourth place overall due to the performance of Juan José Cobo
on the Alto de L'Angliru. Mollema eventually came onto the podium in Madrid as winner of the points classification. It was the first time since 1992 that a Dutchman won a major classification in a Grand Tour, after Eddy Bouwmans
won the young rider classification in the Tour de France
.
2007
2008
2010
2011
WD=Withdrew
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
professional cyclist currently riding for Rabobank
Rabobank (cycling)
Rabobank is a professional bicycle racing team, sponsored by the Rabobank. The team consists of three sections: ProTeam , Continental , and Cyclo-cross...
. Mollema is a Climbing specialist.
Early years
In 2007 Mollema won the prestigious stage race for upcoming talents Tour de l'AvenirTour de l'Avenir
Tour de l'Avenir is a French road bicycle racing stage race, which started in 1961 as a race similar to the Tour de France and over much of the same course but for amateurs and for semi-professionals known as independents. Riders competed in national teams...
and the Circuito Montañés
Circuito Montañés
Circuito Montañés is a cycling stage race held annually in Cantabria, Spain. The editions 1986-1995 were reserved to amateurs. Since 2005, the race has been organized as a 2.2 event on the UCI Europe Tour.-Winners:...
. He joined Rabobank's ProTeam in 2008, signing his first contract as a professional. His first notable result was a 6th position in the final classification of the 2008 Vuelta a Castilla y León
Vuelta a Castilla y León
The Vuelta Ciclista a Castilla y León is a professional road bicycle stage race held in Castile and León, Spain. Since 2005, Vuelta a Castilla y León has been a part of the UCI Europe Tour.-Past winners:-External links:*...
. He made his ProTour debut in the 2008 Tour de Romandie, but did not finish the race due to a fall, which resulted in a fractured collarbone. He fully returned in top shape in the 2008 Deutschland Tour
2008 Deutschland Tour
The 2008 Deutschland Tour road cycling race took place from August 29 to September 6, 2008 in Germany and Austria. It was won by Team Columbia's Linus Gerdemann of Germany...
, in which he started as Rabo's team leader, eventually finishing 7th in the GC. After a disappointing spring in 2009, the season was over for Mollema due to Pfeiffer's disease.
2010
Mollema made his Grand Tour debut in the 2010 Giro d'Italia2010 Giro d'Italia
The 2010 Giro d'Italia was the 93rd edition of the Giro d'Italia, one of cycling's Grand Tours. The Giro started off in Amsterdam on 8 May and stayed in the Netherlands for three stages, before leaving the country...
in which he made a good impression but fell short of a top 10 classification and winning the young rider competition, partially due to missing out on a break-away of 50 riders in which a lot of direct opponents gained a 12 minutes lead. Mollema continued to ride strong later in the season with a mountain stage win in the Tour de Pologne
Tour de Pologne
The Tour de Pologne is a road bicycle racing stage race. It consists of seven or eight stages and is usually around 1,200 km in length. The race was first held in 1928. Until 1952 the race was held sporadically, but since then it has been an annual race...
and a third place overall after winner Daniel Martin
Daniel Martin (cyclist)
Daniel Martin is an Irish racing cyclist who currently rides for .-Early Life:Born in Birmingham, Martin became British National Junior Road Race Champion in 2004, before deciding to ride for Ireland. His brother Tom will ride for the UC Aubenas squad in 2009...
and runner-up Grega Bole
Grega Bole
Grega Bole is a Slovenian professional road bicycle racer for UCI ProTeam .- Palmares :200320052010...
.
2011
In the spring of 2011 he already showed good form with a ninth place overall in Paris-NiceParis-Nice
Paris–Nice, "the race to the sun", is a professional cycling stage race held each March.The first Paris–Nice was in 1933, and was won by Alfons Schepers from Belgium. The most successful cyclist in Paris–Nice was Sean Kelly from Ireland, who won seven consecutive titles from 1982 to 1988.Although...
and tenth overall in the Volta a Catalunya. He eventually did not show his good form in the Ardennes classics
Ardennes classics
The Ardennes classics are three cycling classics held in mid-April in the Ardennes and Dutch Limburg. The races are notable for their hilly courses, and often have similar riders competing for the top positions as the races are held close after each other...
and rode disappointing results.
The main objective of Mollema's 2011 season was his first ever Tour de France
Tour de France
The Tour de France is an annual bicycle race held in France and nearby countries. First staged in 1903, the race covers more than and lasts three weeks. As the best known and most prestigious of cycling's three "Grand Tours", the Tour de France attracts riders and teams from around the world. The...
. As preparation for the Tour he rode, together with teammate Steven Kruijswijk
Steven Kruijswijk
Steven Kruiswijk is a Dutch road bicycle racer for UCI ProTeam Rabobank. In 2009 he won the Under 23 category of the Dutch National Road Race Championships-Palmares:200720092010...
, the Tour de Suisse
Tour de Suisse
The Tour de Suisse is a UCI World Tour stage race held annually in June. The race debuted in 1933 and has evolved in timing, duration and sponsorship. With the Critérium du Dauphiné, it is a proving ground for the Tour de France, and part of the UCI World Ranking calendar...
. Both riders performed extremely well in a strong field. This resulted for Kruijswijk in a podium finish but Mollema fell short for the podium due to a flat tire. Due to illness his GC in the Tour de France was not a succes. In the last week he felt better and tried for a break-away. This resulted in a second place in the 17th stage after Edvald Boasson Hagen
Edvald Boasson Hagen
Edvald Boasson Hagen is a Norwegian professional road racing cyclist riding for the UCI ProTour team . He is the Norwegian Time Trial Champion and also considered as one of the biggest rising talents in the sport, being ranked as no...
.
Mollema returned to action in his third Grand Tour, the 2011 Vuelta a España
2011 Vuelta a España
The 2011 Vuelta a España was held from 20 August to 11 September. The race began in Benidorm with a team time trial and ended, as is traditional, in Madrid. The 2011 Vuelta was the 66th edition of the race and was the first Vuelta in 33 years that visited the Basque Country...
. On the steep uphill finishes in stage 5 and 8 he finished in the top five. He didn't lose any crucial time in the first week and was awarded the red leaders jersey after his second place in stage 9. Due to his weaker time trial skills compared to other GC contenders as Bradley Wiggins
Bradley Wiggins
Bradley Marc Wiggins, CBE is a British professional track and road bicycle racer, currently riding for Team Sky. Wiggins' career began on the track, where he specialised in the pursuit and madison disciplines....
, Chris Froome
Chris Froome
Chris Froome is a professional road racing cyclist who rides for UCI ProTour team .Born in Kenya, Froome moved with his family to South Africa as a teenager, and although he began his career registered with the Kenyan cycling federation, since spring 2008 has ridden under a British licence on the...
and Vincenzo Nibali
Vincenzo Nibali
Vincenzo Nibali is an Italian professional road bicycle racer who rides UCI ProTeam . Born near the Strait of Messina, Nibali's nickname is the "shark of the strait" or simply "the shark." His first major win came at the 2006 GP Ouest-France, where he beat an impressive field on a tough course...
he lost the leaders jersey a day after he had won it. Mollema rode extremely strong after the time trial and was heading for a podium position, but the Dutchman fell to a fourth place overall due to the performance of Juan José Cobo
Juan José Cobo
Juan José Cobo Acebo is a Spanish professional road racing cyclist who currently races for . He won the 2011 Vuelta a España, his first major title.He is considered a climber who also is able to time trial....
on the Alto de L'Angliru. Mollema eventually came onto the podium in Madrid as winner of the points classification. It was the first time since 1992 that a Dutchman won a major classification in a Grand Tour, after Eddy Bouwmans
Eddy Bouwmans
Eddy Bouwmans is a Dutch former road bicycle racer. Bouwmans won the young rider classification in the 1992 Tour de France.-Palmarès:1992**...
won the young rider classification in the Tour de France
Young rider classification in the Tour de France
-History:From 1968 to 1975, there was a white jersey awarded in the Tour de France to the lead rider in the combination classification . In 1975, this classification was removed, and replaced by the Best Young Rider Classification...
.
Palmarès
2006- 1st Stage 2, Vuelta Ciclista a LeónVuelta Ciclista a LeónVuelta Ciclista a León, also known as La Vuelta León, is a road bicycle race held annually in the province of León in Spain. It is currently organised as a 2.2 event on the UCI Europe Tour.-Winners:-External links:*...
2007
- 1st Overall Tour de l'AvenirTour de l'AvenirTour de l'Avenir is a French road bicycle racing stage race, which started in 1961 as a race similar to the Tour de France and over much of the same course but for amateurs and for semi-professionals known as independents. Riders competed in national teams...
- 1st Overall Circuito MontañésCircuito MontañésCircuito Montañés is a cycling stage race held annually in Cantabria, Spain. The editions 1986-1995 were reserved to amateurs. Since 2005, the race has been organized as a 2.2 event on the UCI Europe Tour.-Winners:...
- 1st Stage 6
2008
- 6th Overall Vuelta a Castilla y LeónVuelta a Castilla y LeónThe Vuelta Ciclista a Castilla y León is a professional road bicycle stage race held in Castile and León, Spain. Since 2005, Vuelta a Castilla y León has been a part of the UCI Europe Tour.-Past winners:-External links:*...
- 7th Overall Deutschland Tour2008 Deutschland TourThe 2008 Deutschland Tour road cycling race took place from August 29 to September 6, 2008 in Germany and Austria. It was won by Team Columbia's Linus Gerdemann of Germany...
2010
- 3rd Overall Tour de Pologne2010 Tour de PologneThe 2010 Tour de Pologne was the 67th running of the Tour de Pologne, in the 82nd year since the first edition. The event was part of both the 2010 UCI ProTour and the World Calendar...
- 1st, Stage 6
- 5th Overall Vuelta a AndalucíaVuelta a AndalucíaThe Vuelta a Andalucía or Ruta del Sol is a regional Spanish road bicycle race. Since 2005, it has been a 2.1 category race on the UCI Europe Tour....
- 8th Giro del PiemonteGiro del PiemonteThe Giro del Piemonte is a semi classic European bicycle race held in the Apennine Mountains, Italy. The race first took place in 1906. Since 2005, the race has been organised as a 1.HC event on the UCI Europe Tour...
2011
- 2nd Overall Vuelta a Castilla y LeónVuelta a Castilla y LeónThe Vuelta Ciclista a Castilla y León is a professional road bicycle stage race held in Castile and León, Spain. Since 2005, Vuelta a Castilla y León has been a part of the UCI Europe Tour.-Past winners:-External links:*...
- 1st Combination classification
- 4th Overall Vuelta a España2011 Vuelta a EspañaThe 2011 Vuelta a España was held from 20 August to 11 September. The race began in Benidorm with a team time trial and ended, as is traditional, in Madrid. The 2011 Vuelta was the 66th edition of the race and was the first Vuelta in 33 years that visited the Basque Country...
- 1st
Points ClassificationPoints classificationThe points classification is a secondary award category in road bicycle racing. Points are given for high finishes and, in some cases, for winning intermediate sprints. The points classification is the top prize for many cycling sprinters and therefore is often known as the Sprint Classification;... - Held Red Jersey Stage 9
Vuelta a España2011 Vuelta a EspañaThe 2011 Vuelta a España was held from 20 August to 11 September. The race began in Benidorm with a team time trial and ended, as is traditional, in Madrid. The 2011 Vuelta was the 66th edition of the race and was the first Vuelta in 33 years that visited the Basque Country... - Held White Jersey Stage 9-12
Vuelta a España2011 Vuelta a EspañaThe 2011 Vuelta a España was held from 20 August to 11 September. The race began in Benidorm with a team time trial and ended, as is traditional, in Madrid. The 2011 Vuelta was the 66th edition of the race and was the first Vuelta in 33 years that visited the Basque Country...
- 1st
- 5th Overall Tour de Suisse2011 Tour de SuisseThe 2011 Tour de Suisse was the 75th running of the Tour de Suisse cycling stage race. It started on 11 June with an individual time trial in Lugano and ended with another individual time trial on 19 June, in Schaffhausen...
- 9th Overall Paris-Nice2011 Paris–NiceThe 2011 Paris–Nice was the 69th running of the Paris–Nice cycling stage race, often known as the Race to the Sun. It started on 6 March in Houdan and ended on 13 March in Nice and consisted of eight stages, including a time trial...
- 10th Overall Volta a Catalunya2011 Volta a CatalunyaThe 2011 Volta a Catalunya was the 91st running of the Volta a Catalunya cycling stage race. It started on 21 March in Lloret de Mar and ended on 27 March in Barcelona, and consisted on seven stages...
- 2nd Giro dell'Emilia
Grand Tours overall classification results timeline
| Grand Tour | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Giro d'Italia The Giro d'Italia , also simply known as The Giro, is a long distance road bicycle racing stage race for professional cyclists held over three weeks in May/early June in and around Italy. The Giro is one of the three Grand Tours , and is part of the UCI World Ranking calendar... |
- | - | 12 | - |
 Tour de France The Tour de France is an annual bicycle race held in France and nearby countries. First staged in 1903, the race covers more than and lasts three weeks. As the best known and most prestigious of cycling's three "Grand Tours", the Tour de France attracts riders and teams from around the world. The... |
- | - | - | 70 |
Vuelta a España The Vuelta a España is a three-week road bicycle racing stage race that is one of the three "Grand Tours" of Europe and part of the UCI World Ranking calendar. The race lasts three weeks and attracts cyclists from around the world. The race is broken into day-long segments, called stages... |
- | - | - | 4 |
WD=Withdrew