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"It was particularly mentally very difficult at the end of the stage," says Mollema against the NOS . "You know you've worked really hard in the last few months, and all the preparation has been for nothing."
Groninger, 31, had established his season on the Tour and had a good start, until Sunday in the Roubaix scene fell hard and injured his back.
"I felt good the first week, conditionally I was strong, but that's how my body can not perform," he realizes. "It's very bad."
Etappezege
Mollema finished on the handlebar of Geraint Thomas who won 36th place at La Rosière ski area, which puts him in 23rd place overall. His delay on Thomas is 13.45 minutes.
"The plan for the rest of the Tour will be to go for a stage win, I hope it will improve in the next few days," says Mollema, who has managed to roll win in the Tour.
Mollema had to unload on the second climb of the day. He saw that well in advance. "I noticed it this morning when I got up, I had hoped that every day would go better with my back, but this morning I had more pain than yesterday, so you know it's going to be difficult. "
Disappointed
According to athletic director Steven de Jongh of Trek-Segafredo, Mollema does not want to give up. "Bauke is a breaker, he does not give up."
"It was his third day after the fall, which normally improves the situation and with good treatment he can even go for a stage victory in the Pyrenees.
"But let's be clear that we are very disappointed," said De Jongh. "It soon became clear that his back was bothering him, the pace was already so high during the first climb."
Thursday, Mollema still has a big day on the program with three outdoor category climbs, including the arrival on Alpe d'Huez. This is followed by a flat tour and two hill steps for the second day of rest on Monday.
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