Bauke Mollema becomes ambassador for Groningen–Drenthe UCI Road World Championships bid

Bauke Mollema has been appointed ambassador for the bid to bring the UCI Road World Championships to Groningen and Drenthe in the near future. The Groningen-born rider sees the project as a perfect combination of his passion for cycling and his strong connection to his home region. He is committed to helping bring the World Championships to the north of the Netherlands for the first time.

Currently in his final year with Lidl-Trek, Mollema is regarded as one of the most respected and consistent riders of his generation. He has built an impressive career, including stage victories in the Tour de France and Vuelta a España, as well as wins in prestigious classics such as Il Lombardia and Clásica San Sebastián.

His race intelligence, resilience, and role as a dependable team rider have defined his career. At the same time, his roots remain firmly in the north, where he cycled across the flat landscapes of Groningen as a student and progressed to the top of professional cycling via the Northern Cycling Club Groningen.

Mollema did not hesitate when asked to take on the role of ambassador and support the bid for the World Championships in Groningen and Drenthe.

While he describes it as “a shame” that he will no longer be competing as an active rider when the event takes place, he mainly expresses pride in what the event could mean for the region.“When I think about the Groningen countryside, the city of Groningen, and the towns across Groningen and Drenthe becoming the center of a World Championships, it fills me with pride. It will undoubtedly be a true cycling celebration for the north of the Netherlands and a great opportunity to showcase the Groningen–Drenthe region to the world.”

According to Mollema, the impact extends beyond sport alone. He also highlights the economic value of the event for the region.“Groningen deserves this boost and this moment in the spotlight. I will proudly show the world where I took my first steps as a cyclist.”

About the bid

The bid is an initiative by TIG Sports & Events and Courage Events, who are also jointly responsible for the production and organization of the NIBC Tour of Holland in the Netherlands. Both parties are committed to bringing the UCI Road World Championships to Groningen and Drenthe.