Mohoric faces tough spring and repeats his 2022 formula: "I'll try to do that descent as fast as possible"

What comes to mind when you think of the 2022 Milan-San Remo? Right, Matej Mohoric’s breathtaking victory. The Slovenian descended at lightning speed, aided by a mountain biking-inspired technical feature, which allowed him to leave his rivals behind. This year, the Bahrain Victorious rider has once again set his sights on winning the first Monument of the season.

Mohoric is known as an exceptional descender, but his performance in 2022 had even seasoned cycling fans gripping their seats. He bridged back to the leading group of four and then sped past them. Pogacar and company gave it everything to stay with the Slovenian champion, but it was in vain. Mohoric fearlessly attacked the descent, riding solo to an unforgettable win.

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Mohoric wins Milan-San remo

Mohoric targets the Poggio descent once again

Descending remains Mohoric’s specialty and is likely still his best weapon for another victory in Milan-San Remo. But it’s also a formidable tool in other races. The 30-year-old Slovenian recently began his season in Spain, where he competed in the Gran Premio de Castellón - Ruta de la Cerámica. There, he spoke with Marca.

"As always, my focus is on the Poggio descent, and I’ll try to take it as fast as possible," Mohoric explained, sticking to his tried-and-true strategy. "But my first goal this year is to perform well at the end of February," he says, referring to the Opening Weekend. "After that, I’ll race Milan-San Remo, followed by the rest of the cobbled classics."

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Lenny Martinez should turn things around

Bahrain Victorious looks to bounce back after difficult season

Mohoric also addressed Bahrain Victorious’s disappointing 2024 season, which saw the team finish 17th in the UCI rankings. A quick turnaround is necessary if the team wants to avoid trouble in the next three-year cycle. While a temporary dip isn’t alarming, the team needs to rebound this year.

Modern cycling has evolved significantly, especially in economic terms. Major sponsors like Lidl have entered the sport, and investments from entities like UAE Team Emirates and Bahrain’s government have made an impact. Bahrain formed its cycling team in 2017 under the name Bahrain McLaren, which became Bahrain Victorious in 2021. However, the money tap hasn't been as abundant in recent years. And the team's results show it.

"Last year wasn’t our best season, but it’s only motivated us to work even harder this winter. We will do our best to return to our previous level. Relegation isn’t something we’re even considering," Mohoric concluded.

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