While the Belkin Pro Cycling youngsters in likes of Wilco Kelderman, Moreno Hofland or Sep Vanmarcke are a pure pleasure to watch as their aggressive attacks animate the action from the beginning of the 2014 season, the proven Dutch duo of Mollema and Ten Dam is so far flying under the radar as they aim to build the form exclusively for the Tour de France 101st edition coming in July.

Ten Dam has crossed the line 46th in the opening stage of Volta a Catalunya yesterday which is his fifth cycling event of the 2014 season, but despite the general rule seeing Tour de France contenders showing high disposition early in the season before picking for the second time in July, fourteenth place in the Vuelta a Andalucia was his best result clocked this year so far.

Mollema experienced an optimistic stard to the 2014 season as he has finished runner up to in-form Alejandro Valverde in the second stage of Vuelta a Andalucia, but didn’t manage to continue in the same line and visibly suffered in Tirreno-Adriatico mountain stages.

Ten Dam claims he has nothing to prove so early as he builds-up for the Tour de France as his exclusive goal of the 2014 season and there is no pressure for any spectacular results in coming races.

“For now I don’t have to show anything this year,” Ten Dam told NUsport.

“I just have to make sure I’ll line up at the start with good legs and then we’ll see how things are panning out in July. I’m glad to be allowed to work and undergone my preparations in peace.”

The 33-year Dutchman admits he is set to undergone more meticulous preparations towards the Tour than it occurred in previous years, including prolonged altitude training combined with sleeping in the altitude tent for the first time.

“This year I slept in the altitude tent for the first time and I’m set to undergone three-week altitude training after the Tour of California.”

“I have already inspected the cobbles last week and I’m about to prepare on the Vosges’ routes soon.”