Bauke Mollema wsn't much in the spotlight in today's stage of the Tour de Suisse but moved up two spots and now sits in fifth in the overall standings. Meanwhile, fellow Belkin captain Laurens Ten Dam tested his legs with a late attack.
Bauke Mollema moved up two spots in the overall of the Tour de Suisse without having to do much. Cameron Meyer (Orica-Green Edge) won the stage, Fabian Cancellara (Trek) suffered and Domenico Pozzovivo (AG2R) abandoned – which meant the Belkin Pro Cycling TEAM’s Dutchman now sits fifth overall.
“The peloton made it exciting today, maybe a bit too exciting,” said Sports Director Jan Boven. “Three men won by 14 seconds. We were well represented in the first big group. Bauke climbs two spots, but that doesn’t really mean anything, although it is useful since we’re aiming for a podium finish.”
Laurens ten Dam tested his legs in the final kilometres with a pinprick.
“I thought, ‘Nothing ventured, nothing gained,’ but I soon noticed that Roman Kreuziger started pulling at the front after my attack. Right then, I knew that an attack was useless. I don’t belong among the best five climbers yet. I’m with the best fifteen, though.”
Ten Dam hopes to improve during the week and to move towards the top.
“I have trained hard at altitude in the United States and I hope everything will fall into place this week. I have to get used to the racing again. I want to ride two good mountain stages next weekend. After that, I’ll see where I stand.”
The peloton faces another mountain stage on Monday.
“There will be more twists and turns than today,” said Boven. “The final is uphill. We need to be attentive if we don’t want to waste any time, and if we pay attention, perhaps we can find some opportunities.”
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