Bauke Mollema is convinced that cycling would be better off if the sport had a tougher approach to doping sinners. In an interview with De Streekkrant, the Dutchman argues for tougher sanctions and hits out at Mauro Santambrogio and the controversial Astana team. 

Last week Mollema raged against Mauro Santambrogio on Twitter after the Italian had tested positive for testosterone. The Trek rider finds it unbelievable that the Italian has again broken the rules. "For me, he should be happy that he even has a chance to return to the peloton because I believe that the use of EPO, blood doping and testosterone should automatically lead to a lifetime suspension. Then he does the same again. How stupid can you be? I don't understand why an Italian team had already offered him a contract for 2015. Give that place to a young rider or someone who practices his sport in a clean way." 

According to Mollema, Astana should be sanctioned a lot harder. "Santambrogio and Astana have done nothing good for the credibility of the sport, just when we were walking in the right direction. Look at Vinokourov. He still denies everything. And he leads one of the greatest WorldTour teams. Well... Only people who take responsibility for their mistakes and provide full details to UCI/WADA, should be allowed to return to the sport. There should be no room for the rest."

Mollema is currently in preparation for the new cycling season. The first training camp with his new team, Trek Factory Racing, has already finished. "The atmosphere in the team was very good, nice new teammates. With 14 different nationalities, you have a very open and diverse group. The management was very professional and helpful and we were able to build a good foundation for next year," he said.. 

He expects to be able to do his best in his new team. "This winter the motivation is certainly quite big, and I think my new team will do me good. I'm at an age where I can take a step," he said. He has already mapped out his program for the first months. "Again I will do my preparation for the season in Spain. Then I will ride Tirreno-Adriatico as the first proper test. Amstel Gold Race and Liège-Bastogne-Liège will be the first big goals. Then I will prepare myself for the main goal: the Tour de France."