“I’m angry with myself, but I’ve got a friend who badly wants that Rainbow Jersey and I can help him” – Matej Mohoric torn over racing at Rwanda World Championships

As the UCI Road World Championships make their historic debut on African soil, much of the spotlight has shifted from the roads of Rwanda to the political implications that surround them. For many riders, it's simply the next stop on a long and punishing calendar. But for Matej Mohoric, the decision to race wasn’t without hesitation – even if, ultimately, it was never in serious doubt.

The Slovenian all-rounder has been candid in expressing discomfort about the broader issues surrounding Rwanda’s controversial regime and the accusations of sportswashing tied to the event. “I wish I were better informed, and I wish I had more time to reflect on things,” Mohoric told WielerFlits with refreshing honesty ahead of Sunday’s road race.

It’s a rare admission from a rider known for his poise and intelligence, both on and off the bike. In an era when athletes are increasingly asked to confront questions beyond their sport, Mohoric offered something arguably more powerful than a soundbite: honesty, vulnerability, and the realisation that being a top-level pro sometimes leaves little space for the moral clarity fans often demand. “It’s a very difficult issue. I wish I had more time and energy to really think these things through, but unfortunately I’m constantly moving from race to race, from training camp to training camp. Honestly, I’m a bit angry with myself.”

It’s a sentiment that resonates. In the whirlwind of a World Tour season, carving out time for political reflection is a luxury few riders can afford. Yet Mohoric doesn’t hide behind that excuse – he owns it, and in doing so, strikes a chord with fans and critics alike.

This year’s World Championships mark a pivotal moment for African cycling. Rwanda, a country that has rapidly developed its cycling infrastructure over the past two decades, is hosting the elite World Championships for the first time – a symbolic leap forward for the sport on the continent.

But that progress is not without controversy. Critics have pointed to President Paul Kagame’s authoritarian regime and the state’s use of the event to burnish its international image. While the peloton has largely remained silent on the issue, the underlying tensions have not gone unnoticed.

Mohoric, for one, doesn't pretend otherwise. “I’m truly sorry, and I’m genuinely disappointed in myself for having to say that I’ve been too focused on my own training, my own race calendar, and my own daily challenges to be able to study these kinds of issues in enough depth to form a clear opinion.”

Despite the backdrop, Mohoric's motivation for being in Rwanda is ultimately straightforward — and deeply personal. He’s there for a friend. “I’ve got a friend – Tadej is my friend – and I know how badly he wants that rainbow jersey. I want to help him achieve that dream.”

In a world where nationalism often colours World Championship narratives, Mohoric’s loyalty isn’t just to the flag – it’s to the rider. Slovenia brings two titans to the start line in Kigali: Tadej Pogacar, fresh off narrowly missing the time trial podium, and Primoz Roglic, whose form is unknown but whose pedigree needs no introduction. Mohoric, ever the consummate teammate, knows his role will be to support them both – and he’s all in. “It’s not my job to decide where we race. That responsibility lies with the governing bodies and the organisers. At the end of the day, I’m a professional cyclist – and I want to do my job to the best of my ability.”

As for the course itself, Rwanda presents the peloton with a brutally hilly route where heat and altitude will be decisive factors. For Mohoric, whose career has been built on conquering the unexpected, the unknown is hardly a deterrent. “I’m not even sure how much climbing there is – the estimates vary a lot. But it’s a long race, and I think once we’ve seen the junior, U23, and women’s races, we’ll have a better idea of what to expect.”

Regardless of terrain, Mohoric believes that Pogacar’s near-miss in the time trial has only sharpened his hunger. “I think that’s only made him hungrier, and more determined to prove he’s the number one rider in the world.”

Mohoric's reflections offer a rare insight into the psychological toll of being a modern pro – one caught between the demands of performance and the expectations of conscience. He doesn’t pretend to have it all figured out, and perhaps that’s what makes his words so powerful. “It’s just frustrating that in today’s hectic world, we’re often too consumed by our own problems to engage with what’s going on at a broader level.”

Matej Mohoric didn’t come to Rwanda to make a political stand. He came to race, to work, and to help a friend chase a dream. But in doing so, he’s highlighted something many in the sport shy away from: that sometimes, even showing up can be an act of moral complexity.