The official Great Bauke Mollema thread

[classicomano]

Mollema was never in trouble on Pailheres though, he was just a little further back and didnt see a point in wasting any energy moving back up.

 

[Jelantik]

If he finishes 6th it isn't because he peaked in Suisse, it's because it's realistically where you would expect him. Behind Contador and all.

Before the Tour I'd say Contador, Froome and Valverde would certainly be better. Then Quintana if he doesn't bomb in the first week (and he didn't). And then it would be close from there on between Mollema, Van den Broeck, Pinot, Rolland, Evans, Schleck, Kreuziger, Costa etcetera... Well you see how many from that list are gone or far behind already. But he could still easily finish 6th and it still wouldn't be a dissappointment to me.

I mean how can Mollema realistically hold a good Contador? Only hope is that Contador stays as ****ty as he is right now (because a good Contador is miles ahead) and that Quintana has to sacrifice himself for Valverde at some point.
I'm not that afraid of Kreuziger, I think Mollema is even/slightly better than him.

Mollema will crack. If it's not at ventoux, at double assault to alp d'huez. Quintana will win the white jersey. He was the only rider left on a very mountainous parcour at last vuelta that's not GC contender. He'll be up there close to GC. Mollema will drop from 3 position to I don't know. but he won't be in top three. That's my prediction. How accurate? dunno, do i look like a psychic to you?

 

[RiccoDinko]

Mollema is the Man, top 5 for sure.

 

[Jelantik]

Kreuzinger better Sat? Mollema almost caught Valverde and was quicker by 9 seconds over Froome in the last 3k of the climb.

kreuziger was pacing bertie. So we can't really say the mollema was better than kreuziger.

 

[theyoungest]

When has Mollema ever looked good? He already looks like he is struggling on a flat stage

Yes, that's what they also say about Gesink, but like with Gesink you can see when Mollema is struggling. Apart from that, when you start a climb all the way at the front and end it all the way at the back, that's not a tactical choice. It even costs more energy riding at the back.

 

[del1962]

Would like to Mollema or van Dam podium

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Would like to Mollema or van Dam podium

Instead of the Dawg?

 

[Kokoso]

He wasn't clearly better than Mollema on Saturday. Yeah he hung with the Sky train longer, but you don't know if he could have blown or slowed later? Valverde was hanging with Sky a hell of a lot longer and Mollema in the end finished 1 second behind.. Also only what, 19 seconds behind Porte? He had a very strong finish. So you don't know for sure.

And in the ITT Mollema was better and in Suisse as well. (and both are peaking for the tour obviously)

In ITT Kreuziger could be told not to go faster then Alberto...what sounds little paranoid, I know...

On Saturday he finished what - 6 second behind Mollema? You're right that I can't know if he wouldn't crack later, nobody can know. But you could see that he was looking very good, all time waiting for Alberto, watching and pacing him. I don't think that's how suffering rider looks. He even didn't look suffering and didn't purse his lips, which is what he's doing all time when going full gas. And he wasn't going full gas when Froome attacked, as we know. Valverde and Alberto couldn't follow his wheel what he realised and waited for Alberto. Valverde was recovering behind Roman for i while behind him for quite a while (one, two kilometres maybe?) than went forward. Unfortunately wrong Spaniard recovered I think Kreuz could fight with Porte for second.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

On saturday Kreuziger and Contador ended 30+ seconds behind.. joker
(35 seconds to be exact)

 

[Pulpstar]

In ITT Kreuziger could be told not to go faster then Alberto...what sounds little paranoid, I know...

Doubt that, Kreuziger's TT seemed entirely consistent with a climber having 'excellent' legs, and all rounder Alberto being 'below best'. On the day they cancelled each other out leading to v similiar times.

 

[Kokoso]

On saturday Kreuziger and Contador ended 30+ seconds behind.. joker
(35 seconds to be exact)

Yep, sorry. But that changes about nothing.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Yep, sorry. But that changes about nothing.

like i said i think they are about equal. Mollema maybe slightly better. Hard to tell.

 

[Angliru]

Mollema will crack. If it's not at ventoux, at double assault to alp d'huez. Quintana will win the white jersey. He was the only rider left on a very mountainous parcour at last vuelta that's not GC contender. He'll be up there close to GC. Mollema will drop from 3 position to I don't know. but he won't be in top three. That's my prediction. How accurate? dunno, do i look like a psychic to you?

Well the eyes of your avatar are rather mesmerizing!

 

[Kokoso]

like i said i think they are about equal. Mollema maybe slightly better. Hard to tell.

I agree Mollema is better overall. But not on last weekend, at least saturday.

But today Mollema isn't very helpful...

 

[Amsterhammer]

Admittedly, there's a long way to go before Paris, yada yada, but I'm slowly starting to let myself believe in the serious possibility of a podium for TGBM....which would be awesome.Though God knows what he thought he was doing trying to sprint with Sagan and Cav.

 

[Zam_Olyas]

Pippo_San has not punished himself? It must be hard for him this TDF lol

 

[JimPanzen]

I think Mollemas comments towards Valverde will fire back at him badly during the remaining mountain stages. Just a feeling.

 

[del1962]

Instead of the Dawg?

As well as

 

[del1962]

I think Mollemas comments towards Valverde will fire back at him badly during the remaining mountain stages. Just a feeling.

What did he say?

 

[RiccoDinko]

Mollema on the podium, is it possible? dude looks pretty thick to survive in the alps.

 

[Linkeballer]

Mollema said that he felt no regrets for Valverde, because according to him Valverde deserved it after last year (not waiting for Gesink, i guess).

 

[Kwibus]

Mollema said that he felt no regrets for Valverde, because according to him Valverde deserved it after last year (not waiting for Gesink, i guess).

Besides that Belkin was allready at the front when Valverde got dropped and they didnt know he got because of a mechanical until a whole bit later.

 

[GP Blanco]

Mollema said that he felt no regrets for Valverde, because according to him Valverde deserved it after last year (not waiting for Gesink, i guess).

I thought it was doping related.

 

[theyoungest]

Mollema said that he felt no regrets for Valverde, because according to him Valverde deserved it after last year (not waiting for Gesink, i guess).

Mollema said that Valverde had behaved quite unsportsmanlike himself in past years, so he shouldn't complain. He already said before that he doesn't like to have to race against guys like Valverde, and yes he meant that in a clinic-related way.

I don't think he was referring to last year's crash, as Valverde crashed himself on that stage

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Mollema said that Valverde had behaved quite unsportsmanlike himself in past years, so he shouldn't complain. He already said before that he doesn't like to have to race against guys like Valverde, and yes he meant that in a clinic-related way.

I don't think he was referring to last year's crash, as Valverde crashed himself on that stage

Gotta say, Mollema impresses off the bike here.

I welcome riders with strong opinions.