27/12/2022

"You either have it or you don’t" - Matej Mohoric details moments before Milano-Sanremo win

Matej Mohoric had a superb 2021 season, however he started 2022 in the best way possible as he conquered the first monument of the season, Milano-Sanremo. In a recent interview, he details what was on his mind in the decisive moments of the race.

“I don’t think anyone knew before the actual day of San-Remo. Except for my teammates who saw the bike when we met for the race just two days before," Mohoric told CyclingWeekly, regarding the dropper seatpost bike which has become famous after his win. "They were joking ‘do you really think this makes a difference? Maybe save it for another year? But I knew.”

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“I was in a perfect position on the Cipressa. UAE put in a super high pace so that split the group. As soon as we hit the Poggio, Pogačar started to attack. I just focused on my own race and tried to hang on until the very top," Mohoric explained.

As Pogacar and Soren Kragh Andersen attacked and split the group, the Bahrain - Victorious rider was amongst the first chasers. As the leading group slowed down, Mohoric managed to take to the lead of the race, and in a classic demonstration of excellent descending and huge risks, managed to take a decisive gap and ride to what would be the biggest win of his career.

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“I was maybe a second or two behind the leaders at the top. I knew I could catch and pass the others and then try to force a split behind," Mohoric recalls. "Once I attacked I tried to focus on picking the right lines and tried to attack every corner, then sprint out of them with everything I had left. I knew that if I had a small gap, I could take some time in the corners if I really risked everything, especially with the dropper seatpost.”

Despite briefly being chased by Anthony Turgis, there was not enough organization in the larger group behind to bring him back. “I think it was luck. A reflex from slipping out many times before. I tried to correct my center of gravity as I lost both wheels at the same time. You either have it or you don’t I guess," Mohoric concluded.