Belkin had a mixed day in today's big Tour de France mountain stage. While Laurens Ten Dam is getting better and better, Bauke Mollema is showing signs of fatigue and suffered a huge blow on the final climb to Risoul.

Laurens ten Dam is finding his climbing legs while Belkin Pro Cycling TEAM's Bauke Mollema defended his GC spot in Saturday's three-climb stage across the heart of the French Alps.

Ten Dam was eighth in stage 14 behind winner Rafal Majka to climb into ninth overall at 10:01 back, while Mollema was 16th on the stage, to retain seventh place overall, at 8:33 behind race leader Vincenzo Nibali.

Ten Dam, who struggled earlier in the Tour, is discovering fine form just in time for the decisive climbs of the race, moving up from 12th to ninth overall.

"You have to ride for what you are worth," Ten Dam said. "I did not know where Bauke was. He told me he was strong just before the climb, so one minute after me is not bad. The last two days were good for me. I am now in the top-10, and the Pyrénées are coming. I hope I can keep the form. Last year, the last couple of days were too much for me. I hope it's different this year."
 

Belkin's Steven Kruijswijk rode into a big group that pulled clear in the Lauteret climb, assuring the Team Belkin a presence in the day's main breakaway. With Belkin second in the team classification, it's important for the squad to have riders in every breakaway.

"I wanted to show myself here and that worked out. I am glad I was able to show that my level is quite good," Kruijswijk said. "It's nice that on this kind of parcours that I can still do this also after the two years [since injury]. For me it’s a confirmation I can get back on my old level and that I can show myself in the future."
 

Belkin captain Mollema admitted he wasn't at his best on the final, grueling climb to the Risoul summit, but retained his top-10 position.

"About four kilometres from the top, I had to let them go, and I continued on my own tempo. It’s disappointing. I am still seventh, but it’s not good for the GC. My legs were not good enough, and I could not follow. I have the feeling that I am not as strong as yesterday. My position for a mountaintop finish this Tour de France is not how I would have wanted it."
 

Belkin will consider its options for Sunday's 222km transition stage from Tallard to Nimes. With the second rest day waiting Monday, it could be a chance to win out of a breakaway with Sep Vanmarcke or Lars Boom, winner of stage 5.

"Sep had a really tough, tough day, and I think he should recover tomorrow, and I don't think he should go in the break," said Belkin Sports Director Merijn Zeeman. "It's going to be a hard stage, with wind, and maybe some rain. We will meet tonight to discuss a team strategy. Everyone is very tired after these hard stages in the Vosges and Alps."