One year ago Bauke Mollema got his big Tour de France breakthrough when he finished 6th in the race after having been in podium contention for a long time. This year the Dutchman feels even stronger and has set his sights on a top 3 finish.

Bauke Mollema wants to better last year’s sixth place in the Tour de France.

“Of course I want to do better but unfortunately I can’t promise to do so,” he told De Telegraaf. “A lot of factors will play a role. I know that the expectations of the public are much bigger after last year’s Tour. Whenever you do something great, you make the people at home very enthusiastic and they expect you to do even better. I know that it will be a disappointment for the public if I again finish sixth or lower. But there is not much I can do. However, I hope to entertain the people with a good performance.

“Ever since I started cycling, I have actually only dreamed about the Tour de France. To do well here has always been my goal. That is the biggest scene for you to show your abilities. For me, it’s nice to hear that I can give the people at home some enjoyment, like the Dutch football team does at the World Cup. I really appreciate that,” said Mollema who is known as a Feyenoord supporter.

This year we could see a different Mollema compared to the one that finished sixth 12 months ago.

“I am a year wiser and stronger. Last year my body faced a challenge that it had never had before. In the third week I was on my knees. I expect that I can handle it better now. I have the feeling that I have grown as a rider. If I feel good, I now dare to take some risks, to attack to try to gain some time or win a stage. That’s more than last year and I have shown it in Switzerland. But you don’t know if it will be possible in the Tour too. The level is a bit higher but I will try.

“I don’t know if I am ready for it yet but the Tour podium in Paris is definitely a goal.”