Mohoric saw Pogacar go: "We weren't spent, but he is just a lot stronger than everyone else"

Matej Mohoric, the reigning world champion in gravel, finished fifth in Saturday's Strade Bianche. The Slovenian from Bahrain Victorious rode a solid race but, like the rest of the peloton, had to acknowledge Tadej Pogacar as the superior rider.

Mohoric started as one of the top favorites, although he was the first to admit beforehand that the course changes would not suit him as well as they would the better climbers. Nevertheless, the powerhouse rode at the front all day, eventually finishing fifth in Siena. That his compatriot Pogacar won did not surprise him at all.

'We weren't spent, but Tadej is just a lot stronger than the rest," he concluded in an interview with IDLProCycling.com. "When he goes full throttle, he quickly gets a fifteen-second lead on the rest. No one wants to close the gap because everyone just sees his lead increasing. Also, because he still had two teammates with him. He's just better than the rest, simple," he stated with a smile.

Mohoric himself had to distribute his efforts, knowing that he would find it a bit more challenging uphill now and then. "I had hoped for a somewhat calmer start, but it is what it is. It was a very tough race, but I still enjoyed it. I did my best, and the podium was within reach, but we were close together in that second group. Fifth isn't bad."

"Gravel races are much more technical, with single tracks and tricky descents," he pointed out when asked by Cycling Pro Net about the difference between gravel races and events like Strade Bianche. "That sometimes resembles mountain bike races more, but I also hold this close to my heart," concludes the friendly Slovenian, who, after a somewhat challenging Opening Weekend, proved that his good legs were not far away.