INTERVIEW | "He's a great leader" - Matevz Govekar on helping Tadej Pogacar to two world championship titles

Slovenia has won the past two World Championships in the men's elite road race category, and this is a success that is not only owed to the talent of Tadej Pogacar. Matevz Govekar of Bahrain - Victorious has been part of both triumphs and describes the Kigali worlds, as well as discussing his own ambitions within the team that have grown since his breakthrough in 2024.

The Bahrain - Victorious camp was not buzzing with the same furious energy as UAE Team Emirates - XRG two days prior, but this was ultimately a better environment for the riders, who could share their thoughts more calmly and without as much pressure. Govekar was the first to sit down with CyclingUpToDate and discuss the 2025 season, what he will do this upcoming season and more.

Together with Matej Mohoric, Jakob Omrzel and Zak Erzen, the group forms a quartet of Slovenians that put the team on top of the charts when it comes to having riders of the small nation into the 2026 season. Four out of then, more precisely. "I would say, yeah, it's for sure, also when I came in the Bahrain, there were also four Slovenians, and then for a brief period I were only with Matej [Mohoric]. And I would say it's always, you have anyway, try to build a relationship with all riders, because I spend a lot of time with different riders, different nationalities, but it tends to be a bit easier when you can speak in your own language," he said in our microphones.

With Erzen being a sprinter himself and Matej Mohoric being a classics specialist, who also thrives typically in the flat and relatively hilly races, he can expect to be joined by his fellow countrymen often during the year. "And yeah, Jakub [Omrzel] is a super nice guy, a great addition to our team, and I think he will do great in the season".

Govekar signed with the team in June on 2022, a rare mid-season transfer after he showed his talent with the Austrian Tirol KTM Cycling Team. Only two months later he took his first pro win at the Vuelta a Burgos, quickly showing he was a worthy investment. In 2023 he settled into a domestique role in the team and rode his first Grand Tour, and the improvement in 2024 was noticeable with stage wins at the Tour of Antalya, Tour of Britain and the world-tour rated Tour of Guangxi (the final stage in the latter two). A new leader was born within the Bahraini team.

"Oh yeah, for sure, you get a bit more noticed, but there is still room for improvement. The more you get the results, the more constant, the more respect you get". In 2025 he was given the opportunity to keep leading the team in search of success in the sprints. He did win the non-UCI Al Salam Championship in January ahead of Tim Wellens, but that was the only time he raised his arms throughout the year. Two Top10 results in bunch sprints at the Giro d'Italia didn't go unnoticed, but he didn't manage to take the next step.

"Yeah, this year was the idea to go for a bit harder calendar, and then try to find some opportunities. I would say it was not a super year, still some good results, but no cherry on the top of the cake," he admits. "Yeah, for sure there are things to improve also, and how to find the correct opportunity at the correct race. But also in the season approaching, we are looking for a quite similar approach".

He will also exclusively focus on the road, excluding gravel from his schedule. In 2024 he won the Girona Gravel World Series race, beating some of the best in the world ahead of the World Championships. "Originally for the moment it is not in the plan, but I think as the cycling world knows we are also changing the bike brand (the team is riding Bianchi bikes from 2026 onwards, replacing Merida, ed.). Merida, our previous bike supplier was very happy that we raced gravel, but maybe also our new bike supplier will want this but for the moment I don't have any idea".

But Govekar has also succeeded in his role in the national team. Since racing for the first time in the elites, he has supported Tadej Pogacar at the World Championships every single year since 2023, and this includes the victories in Zurich and Rwanda. He is a familiar face to Tadej Pogacar and Primoz Roglic. "Yeah, I would say, like the last two years I did Worlds, from then on I was more in contact with both of them. But the origin stays the same, the better racing days you do with some teammates, the better the relation is".

In Rwanda, he was able to celebrate an expected triumph with his compatriots. "I would say it was for sure a completely different experience to the previous year, but yeah, quite positive, a nice race, and the parcours definitely suited Tadej. That was one clear goal, that Tadej wins, and that we help him as much as we can". They succeeded, with Pogacar launching an attack with over 100 kilometers to go, and ultimately winning with a solo attack.

The 25-year old has nothing but positive things to say about his compatriot. "I would say he's a great leader, brings all the group together, also a nice guy, we don't see each other from Slovenian team members so many times, but whenever we come together it's very fun and very enjoyable experience".

Govekar doesn't yet know his full calendar for the spring, but does know that his first racing block will take place in the Comunitat Valenciana, where the team has trained for the past few weeks. "As I said, the plan for now is to start in Spain, one of the races is [GP de] Castellón, and the other is GP Valencia, and then one week [Volta a Comunitat] Valenciana. For the start I'm 100% [sure], but still the main meeting for the race calendar is in the next days, and from then on I could really more confirm it".

Govekar is also going to try and time his form peak better, for later in the spring, which means changes in his training and preparation towards a new season. "One idea we had with the coach is to do more base preparation, not to start too early with some intensity. I think this could then postpone a bit the top shape, because I tend to get quite a good shape quite early. And in general just to take the approach to the season a bit more easier, and just spice it up just before the season really starts.