'The level I had at 24 wouldn't be enough to keep up' - Mollema admits he might have struggled in today's peloton

Bauke Mollema (Lidl-Trek), who recently confirmed that he will retire from cycling at the end of the 2026 season, has highlighted the significant changes to the sport he has seen throughout his near two-decade-long career.

The 39-year-old Dutch rider admitted that he had already made up his mind that 2026 would be his last year when he extended his contract with Lidl-Trek four years ago due to the ever-present demands of the sport.

"Cycling is getting tougher and tougher, and it's not as easy for me as it was ten or fifteen years ago. I'll be 40 at the end of the year. Then it'll be enough,” Mollema told NOS.

Mollema, who began his professional career back in 2008 with Rabobank, following victory at the Tour de l’Avenir in 2007, acknowledged how the sport has changed significantly since, as well as himself and life in general.

"I saw some old photos and videos today; it was a completely different time. Cycling has changed enormously,” said Mollema. “The world has changed. And of course, you've changed too. When I started this 20 years ago, I knew nothing about cycling or life."

His first professional victory came back in 2010 at the Tour de Pologne, and over a decade later, in 2021, he won a stage of the Tour de France for the second time in his career, illustrating his longevity in the sport. 

Though the Dutchman honestly admitted that his younger self might have struggled in today’s peloton, and that he can see younger riders of today having shorter careers than he has.

"Especially in the last five to ten years, the level has become so much higher. And things are much more professional now. I used to wear jerseys that flapped around,” said Mollema. "The level I had at 24 wouldn't be enough to keep up. Many more riders in their early twenties are already at a super high level. In my day, you were brought up much slower."

“At the beginning of my career, things were more relaxed. Maybe that's one of the reasons I'm still pro today. I wouldn't be surprised if today's young riders don't have a 20-year career."

Only four riders in the current peloton have more than the 23 Grand Tour starts that Mollema has to his name, including the Tour de France twelve times. Mollema also finished in the top 10 of each Grand Tour, showing the impact he has made on the biggest races during his career.

But it’s from a one-day race where Mollema picked up his most significant win, when he soloed to victory at Il Lombardia in 2019, becoming the third Dutch rider to win the race of the falling leaves and the first since Hennie Kuiper in 1981.

Mollema hopes to bow out of the sport at the race which gave him one of the most defining moments of his career. “I hope Il Lombardia. That seems like a nice farewell,” said Mollema when asked where he plans to race for the last time.