"This was the best I could do" - Matej Mohoric details 'hanging on for dear life' in Flanders but finishing in the Top10

The Tour of Flanders is one of the most difficult races in pro cycling, both for its duration, resistance to tension, dangerous situations and the multiple steep and cobbled climbs. Hence, every single rider on the Top10 this year obtained it via having the best version of themselves, which includes Matej Mohoric who looked to be back at his very best level at the ideal period for the first time in a while.

The Bahrain - Victorious was well positioned when the race first split under the pressure of UAE Team Emirates - XRG, which perhaps benefited him taking into consideration his history of performing well in the long races. “It was just full on. Florian [Vermeersch] did a massive pull before the Molenberg and split the race. From there it was just an elimination race. The strongest guys came out on top," Mohoric said in an interview with Wielerflits.

Whilst victory was not obtainable against riders such as Tadej Pogacar and Mathieu van der Poel, the Slovenian - who himself may have had the legs - admits that there was no chance of successfully anticipating their attack on the Oude Kwaremont. “I think we were just hanging on for dear life. I was actually feeling really good today, but this was the best I could do.”

“After the Molenberg they were pulling so hard. Everyone was taking turns, but when you go to the front you actually do less power than on the wheel. They just keep everyone at the limit. It’s like going against a motorbike. You just try to survive.”

At the finish line, the veteran rode to an eighth place on the road, arriving just behind Florian Vermeersch and Jasper Stuyven who themselves had incredible legs on the day.

However his performance was stellar and next Sunday, in a race where bike handling and pure watts matter more than in Flanders, Mohoric can realistically aim for more than an eighth spot. It is a race that is often chaotic and where luck is required, but his fifth place in 2022 shows that he is able to fight for a top result.

“With a headwind forecast, it’s going to be interesting. There’s always chaos there, crashes, punctures, people coming back. It’s a hectic race, one that suits us mortals a bit better," he admits.

“It’s harder to drop riders there than on these climbs. So we’ll see. We just want to finish without regrets. I’ll keep racing my heart out. And be proud to race alongside these champions.”