Trek have confirmed that they are interested in signing Bauke Mollema whose contract expires at the end of the season. The American team is looking for a replacement for the Schleck brothers who have failed to live up to their previous performances.

Bauke Mollema is going into the Tour de France with podium ambitions but the Dutchman may also spend the next few weeks considering his future options. His contract will come to an end after this season and the future of the Belkin team is uncertain after the withdrawal of the main sponsor.

Now Trek confirm that they are interested in the Dutchman. They American team had pinned all their hopes on the Schleck brothers as their GC riders but none of them have reached their previous level. With Haimar Zubeldia getting closer to retirement and young talents Julian Arredondo and Riccardo Zoidl not yet ready to go for grand tour glory, the team is looking for a new leader.

"We are looking for a GC rider for the coming years," manager LucaGuercilena told De Telegraaf. "Mollema is one of our most important candidates but we are not gambling on just one horse."

Yesterday Trek sports director Kim Andersen told Jyllands-Posten that the team was indeed looking for a GC rider and that Frank Schleck would be pleased to have less pressure on his shoulders.