"The main objectives are Sanremo, Roubaix and Liège" - Matej Mohoric gears up for long spring campaign

Matej Mohoric didn't find the same form in the second part of the season as he has in 2021, but with a win at Milano-Sanremo early in the year the Slovenian's season had been a successful one. His main target for the coming season will also be the spring classics.

“In 2023 I will focus on the Spring Classics and the Tour de France," the 28-year old said in Bahrain - Victorious' team presentation, where several other riders have talked about their goals for the coming season. "The main objectives are Sanremo, Roubaix and Liège. Among the races I will do there are also Strade Bianche and Tirreno – Adriatico, but I will also race Amstel Gold Race and Flèche Wallone."

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Mohoric rode into 4th place at the E3 Saxo Bank Classic, 9th at Gent-Wevelgem and 5th at Paris-Roubaix. His talent in the cobbled classics is undeniable, and he will also look to perform at Liège-Bastogne-Liège where Remco Evenepoel succeeded this year and shown the race is possible to win with a long-distance attack, just as Mohoric frequently executes.

"I know it's going to be a very long time, but I think it's possible to keep an important form during that time. I don't want to get fit too soon, as I may have done in the past, but I want to be ready for Sanremo and then maintain my condition until Liège," he explained. "It's been six weeks and I think it's possible to do it... We don't have another big news for the Sanremo like last year (regarding the dropper seatpost, ed.), but we always test new things thanks to our partners. We always work with great attention on the equipment to improve them and have the best possible bike to win races".

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“I won't be the sole leader in the spring. We have more cards to play, and it's always a good thing. We have the possibility of being 3-4 men in the finale, as well as having numerous companions who can help and protect us first," he added. "Fred Wright will certainly be another of our leaders for the big races and it will be interesting to see what Jonathan Milan can do as well. I am happy to have such a composed team, I think that together we can achieve excellent results”.

Despite the loss of Jan Tratnik and Dylan Teuns, Bahrain remains a quality team for the cobbled and will be aiming for a big win. “We have a strong team for the classics, even if I think the reference squad remains Jumbo. Wout is always the big favorite alongside Mathieu, but we are confident in our abilities and aim to win another monument next year."

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"Afterwards, one of the main objectives of my season will then be to get ready for the Tour and aim to win a stage at the Grande Boucle," he continued. In 2021 he took two stage wins in similar style and was in tremendous form. However this year he suffered from Epstein-Barr virus which saw him below his usual level. He did manage to bounce back to win the Cro Race later in the year, but will be aiming for higher victories.

“I was strong in the spring, but then things didn't go very well at the Tour. I felt I was in the best shape of my life, but then I caught the Epstein-Barr virus and from that moment I could not find my level, managing to grow then gradually. Winning the CRO Race gave me morale and confidence that I could still win. Now I want to work hard this winter to build the foundation for next year. We want to be ready for next season and be at our best in the races that matter to us," he concluded.

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