Bauke Mollema was quick to congratulate his fellow countryman Niki Terpstra (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) a somewhat surprising victory in the Paris-Roubaix, and even though the route characteristics make the Amstel Gold Race least suitable among Ardennes classics for the 27-year old Belkin captain, he believes that winning the sole Dutch classic in the same fashion is possible.

“It’s super nice that he has won. That gives you confidence that it can be done,” Mollema told NOS.nl about Terpstra's victory.

In addition, the 27-year old Belkin leader reminded that last time when a Dutchman won Paris-Roubaix, the history quickly repeated itself in the Amstel Gold Race.

“It would have been really nice if that happened again.”

Mollema is expected to line up at the Amstel Gold Race as Belkin captain, alongside other three Dutchmen Laurens Ten Dam, Jos van Emden and Bram Tankink.

Even though the 27-year old rider finished in the modest 28th place his final preparation event towards Ardennes classics, the Vuelta al Pais Vasco, he eventually found his legs in the second part of the Basque stage race and claims to be satisfied with his current form. Mollema points out, however, that in regards to one-day events it is all about the right timing.

“It’s just important to give everything you have and make the most out of it. You need to have a great day to stay with the best.”

Mollema certainly needs to invent something and go for an attack in order to have any chances of winning the Amstel Gold Race on Sunday, exactly like his countryman Terpstra did one week earlier. However, is his plan fails in the Dutch classic, he will have two more opportunities to excel on the Ardennes hilly parcours, including the Liege-Bastogne-Liege, considered the most suitable to his characteristics.

“Which one suits me best? Liege, you would say, because I achieved best results there and the climbs are the longest. But Amstel also suits me well. I know the course well and I like the new finale,” Mollema concluded.