Leading up to Liege-Bastogne-Liege, Bauke Mollema said that he had never been better at this time of the season and so he was very confident for the classic that suits him the most. After taking 15th, he was very disappointed with the outcome, saying that the controlled race didn't suit his riding style.

Bauke Mollema ended the classic season today with a 15th place in Liège-Bastogne-Liège. The Dutchman of the Belkin Pro Cycling TEAM ended up 12 seconds behind winner Simon Gerrans of Orica-GreenEDGE in the 100th edition of the Ardennes Classic. 

"I'm not very happy, of course," said Mollema. "I finished outside the top ten, while I had hoped to be up there. It's a shame that I couldn't get in the mix today. Normally, this race really suits me, but the waiting style of racing did not help me. At the line, it was almost a bunch sprint. With 800 metres to go, I was in a good position, but I just did not have the power to really get involved." 

Sports Director Merijn Zeeman, just like Mollema, was not in a very good mood right after the race.

"We'd expected more," he said. "We thought that after the Amstel Gold Race and La Flèche Wallonne that there was more in store for us today. The riders' condition and their preparation were perfect, but we lacked that extra bit. At this level, that one per cent determines whether you end up in the top ten or not."

Zeeman still complimented the team.

"The boys worked very hard, but we just came up too short. Lars Petter Nordhaug went all-in with a late attack, but unfortunately, he couldn't stay clear and Bauke wasn't able to benefit either." 

Zeeman looked back on the classics positively even though La Doyenne left a nasty taste.

"This is the first classic without a Team Belkin rider in the top ten. In general, however, we have reached a very high level and shown some real attractive racing. The goal was to win a monument and despite Sep Vanmarcke coming close twice, we didn't pull it off. I have to say we did a lot better than last year and I'm quite happy about that." 

Mollema will start preparing for the Tour de France now.

"I will recon the cobbled stage later this week and I also have a wind tunnel session scheduled. After that, it's time to rest before I start working towards the Tour de France."