Bauke Mollema wants to face "new challenges" with Trek Factory Racing. The Dutchman is the leader of Luca Guercilena's team in the grand tours after Andy Schleck has announced his retirement and is just one step behind the clear leader, Fabian Cancellara. The 28-year-old hopes that his new surroundings will allow him to take the final step onto the podium in one of the grand tours and in the Ardennes classics.

These days Bauke Mollema is in Alfas del Pi with his new teammates from the Trek Factory Racing Team. However, he is already familiar with the Spanish roads as he spends almost half og the year in Campello in Alicante. The Dutchman likes the sunny conditions and loves to train on the Iberian roads.

The training camp marks the start of a new adventure for Mollema who has left Belkin after several years with the Dutch structure.

"It was time to move on and face new challenges," he told BiciCiclismo in an interview. "After eight years in the same structure, I wanted to find a new environment and philosophy. I think I'm still young and I hope to take another step next year. That's why I thought I needed to change teams to make further progress. I needed to have new people around me, a coach, a new approahc to cycling. And I'm very happy with what I have seen so far. I think Trek was the best choice as they have big riders from which I can learn a lot, new staff and fantastic equipment. I have done some tests to adapt my body to the Madone, to find my aero position. We were able to make small changes in the velodrome of Valencia. That will help me to do better. This winter I am very motivated to train. I look to the future with confidence."

At Belkin, Mollema was one of several leaders for the grand tours. At Trek, he is expected to be the undisputed captain for the Tour de France.

"That is why they have signed me and why I chose this team," he said. "In the last two years, I was also the Belkin leader at the Tour de France and I have been so in other races too. This year I had a good level both in stage races and classics, with logical ups and downs. I think I've accumulated lots of experience to take that next step forward. I'm sure I can make progress. In the last two years, I lost a few positions in the final week of the Tour, in 2014 in the time trial and last year in the penultimate week. I think that I will get stronger in the end when my body is more accustomed to the three weeks. The podium of the Grand Tours is the next step. That's why I signed with Trek; I was fourth in the Vuelta, sixth in the Tour, and hope to improve these results."

Mollema already has a rough idea about his schedule.

"I think I will start in Murcia, Almeria and Andalusia even though it has not been confirmed yet," he said. "I like to start in Spain because it is near my house in Campello and we have good weather. We have not decided whether to do Paris-Nice or Tirreno-Adriatico. And then I will focus on the classics in April. I really like those races, Amstel, Fleche and Liege. I have been in the top ten many times and I hope to take another step.

"I like Amstel because it is in the Netherlands which is very special for me," he said. "Also because it is perhaps the only race that I will do in my home country as I don't think I will do the Nationals. But the climbs are maybe too short for me and I should be better in Liege which is a monument. I like Fleche but not the route because it is all about waiting for the final climb. I have been in the top 10 in the last few editions. I really like all three races. It is a special week for the team. Therefore I will focus on those events."

The Tour de France will be the main goal for Mollema and this year the race starts in the Netherlands.

"Of course it's an extra motivation," he said. "It's nice that a grand tour starts in my home country. My first grand tour was the 2010 Giro which started in Amterdam and it was very special. Now it will be even more special because people in the Netherlands know me and have big expectations. So it's great to start a race like the Tour near your home, your friends and your family.

"I like the course. I think it is suited to my characteristics. There are many summt finishes, already in the first week with the Mur de Huy and Mur de Bretagne and we also have the cobbles. It will be a very important week. You won't win the Tour there but you may lose it. After that, we will have the real climbs. In short, it is a Tour for climbers and as such I am happy about it."

Mollema has not decided whether he will do the Vuelta in the second half of the season.

"It's not certain yet," he said. "Last year I did not and I think it is better to the Vuelta to prepare for the Worlds. I did only two races in Canada and it was my only races in six weeks before the Worlds. That was not enough. So I may do the Vuelta or maybe the Tour of Britain. What is clear is that I need to ride more before the Worlds. I know that it is hard to go for GC in both the Tour and the Vuelta but I could go there to help a teammate or go for stages.

"This year the course for the Worlds is not for me. The climbs are too short. In Qatar, it is even less suited to me. But I think I'll go to Richmond to work for Terpstra, Langeveld or Boom who are good riders that can do well."

Mollema has always liked to ride in Spain and he hopes to be back on the Iberian Peninsula in 2015.

"The roads are good," he said. "Especially in the beginning of the season. And I like Pais Vasco and San Sebastian. Perhaps San Sebastian is even my favourite race. This year I was second and I have been fifth twice. The Basques really like cycling. They know the names of all the riders. Six years ago I was a neo-rpofessional and people were already screaming my name. It was a surprise for me."