In order to achieve his goal of a top five in the Tour de France, Bauke Mollema believed he needed sole leaderships of a team for the full three weeks to reach his goal. That is why the Dutchman has moved from Belkin to Trek Factory Racing this offseason.

"In Belkin and Rabobank there were many times when we started a Grand Tour or an important race when we had two or more leaders. For me, personally, I don't think that's the best way of racing. I think it's best to start with one leader and then move to plan B if you need to later," Mollema told Cyclingnews.

"I needed that new challenge and new people around me. This move to Trek is a new step in my career and in the last few years maybe it just didn't feel like I was improving in the way that I wanted and perhaps I needed a new motivation and environment to make that next step."

The 28-year-old Dutchman hasn’t just made the move to be a rider for three weeks at the Tour in July. He showed improvement in the one-day races in 2014, finishing second in San Sebastian and fourth in Fleche Wallonne and seventh in Amstel Gold and tenth in both Canadian races.

“Of course, the Classics are a big goal next year too. I want to hit top form in the Spring. Last year I had some top tens in the Ardennes and I'm aiming at the top five. I'm a year older, with a year of more experience and that really helps in those races because you know the roads and you become more used to the distance. We've got a strong team too with [Fränk] Schleck and [Julian] Arredondo, guys who can either get a good result or help me," he tells Cyclingnews.

But with the Tour starting in his homeland, its hard to ignore the fact that it will be his biggest objective of 2015, even if the odds of him winning a stage or taking a jersey at home while the race is in Holland for two days are very small.

"It's one for the climbers. Maybe it would have been nicer with some more time trials because I'll go better on this new bike. There's the team time trial and the first week finish on the Mur de Huy are good for me. It's important, as ever, to stay healthy and upright in that first week and then see from there."

"I hope so with the top five. It's always hard to predict and my focus now is to start well at the first few races of the year and improve the level from last year. From there I can start to focus on a Tour position. I've been sixth and tenth in the last two years so my goal is to be a top five rider in the next few years. I'm at an age where I'm getting better."