Introducing Bauke Mollema
Meet Rabobank's Young Gun, the tall, strong and fast 22 year old Bauke Mollema  - the climber and tour d'Avenir winner shines in Tour of California

Bauke Mollema Photo © Marcel Koch

Young Gun 22 year old Bauke Mollema distinguished himself yesterday with aggressive riding in the day long break of 4 riders on stage 3 of the tour of California.

He and Jeff Louder attacked dropping their mates in a last attempt for victory but the duo was caught in the final kilometer Bauke held on to finish with the main group and is currently sitting at 27th in the general classification at 2:10 in a field filled with international stars after a grueling three stages.

The young rider turns 23 on his birthday in November, and will be easy to find in the peloton with the KOM jersey on his back;  as he is second to Francisco Mancebo who leads both the points and climbing competitions.

Bauke Mollema is a Dutch professional cyclist currently riding for Rabobank ProTour squd. In 2007 Mollema raced in the prestigious and most important U23 race in the world, the tour de l'Avenir. He finished second in three stages and won the general classification. He followed up that year with a stage win and the G.C. in the Spanish contest Circuito Montañés; not a bad debut year as a 20 year old pro in international competitionwith the Rabobank U23 squad.

As a teenager living in Zuidhorn during the ages of 12 to 16 Bauke commuted the 12 kilometers by bike to school in Groningen; having a competitive spirit, each day he tried to make the ride faster than the day before. He started racing not long after that period, finding success in local races. To the left is Bauke's photo of his bike from those days.

Bauke has finished his first year of study at the University of Groningen;  his study and career goals are in economics and management.  He currently is under contract with the Rabobank team through 2009.

Mollema first gained attention in 2006 while riding with the De Hypotheker NWVG squad in his home town of Groningen after winning the second stage of the Vuelta Ciclista a León.

Later the same year in August, Bauke started as a stagiare for continental team: Löwik Meubelen. He had also caught the eye of the Rabobank scouts and in  2007 he was signed to the mini-Rabo continental pro squad where the young rider continued to impress with his outstanding debut year showing his climbing talent and overall ability in stage racing.

After the brilliant breakout debut year with Rabo he made the jump to the Rabobank ProTour squad  in  2008 at 21, signing a two year agreement. He continued to progress and showed well in the tougher pro races and competition. In the Vuelta a Castilla y León he finished second in one stage and sixth overall. later that year he put in a more than credible performance for 7th on the G.C. at the very tough Deutschland Tour.

Bauke in the middle of the team during the team presentation.
Photo © Rick Loots

This year Bouke Mollema continues to impress with his performance at the Tour of California. He is definitely one to watch for the future.  Mollema is a strong climber and capable of doing well in stage races and may soon find his name bandied-about alongside Andy Schleck and others as a future star of the grand tours.

Bauke's favorite foods are: Boerenkool (Kale and mashed potatoes), and lasagna. While not training and racing Bauke likes to read for entertainment and write on his website.

You can keep up with Bauke at his site: www.baukemollema.nl

favorite food: Kale 'n mash and lasagna
favorite drink: water
hobbies: reading and also writing on his own site
studies/ profession: completed first year Economics and Management
Dream goal: Keeping up in the Tour de France

Teams
2005 - De Hypotheker NWVG - Groningen
2006 - De Hypotheker NWVG - Groningen;
Stagiare with Löwik Meubelen from August 1st
2007 - Rabobank TT3
2008 - 2009 Rabobank ProTeam

Palmarès
2006
1st, Stage 2, Vuelta Ciclista a León
3rd G.C. Friedens und Freundschaftstour
2007
1st Overall, Circuito Montañés
1st, Stage 6 Circuito Montañés
1st Overall, Tour de l'Avenir
3rd G.C.Tour de L'Ain
2008
6th Overall, Vuelta a Castilla y León
3rd, Stage 2 Vuelta a Castilla y León
7th Overall, Deutschland Tour

Rabobank team presentation. Photo © Marcel Koch

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