Bauke Mollema has revealed to Cyclingnews that he is very close to signing a new deal with Trek-Segafredo and that it is likely to be done before the Tour de France, where he targets the top five overall.

“We’re close, for sure,” he told Cyclingnews when asked about the current state of negotiations with Trek. “I’m happy here, and it feels like home. We have a great atmosphere, and we have great material and sponsors. There’s no reason for me to change.”

Mollema has spent two years with the team now, winning the Tour of Alberta and taking seventh in the Tour last season. This year he has top tenned Liege-Bastogne–Liege, Romandie and Tirreno.

Mollema’s usual route to the Tour used to be through the Tour de Suisse, but once he joined Trek, they convinced him the French race was much better preparation.

“So far the race has gone well. I’m on schedule, and my legs have felt good,” he added. “Before I always did the Tour de Suisse but last year I changed to here. I like this more in terms of preparation for the Tour because you still have more time after the race before the Tour starts so you can do some more good training. Maybe with the Tour de Suisse so close to the Tour it’s harder.”

Mollema says that the numbers he has been producing in training are indicating that he is in a better place than he was in 2015, giving him even more hope for the Tour.

“Now I’m way better than I was last year, and that’s a good thing. I’m on schedule. If I look at the numbers I’m doing here this week then I’m much better than where I was last year. My preparation is more relaxed this year.”