Wat een prachtig event dit #wkgravel! Ook een welgemeend applaus voor de wat mindere goden die doorgaans niet in beeld komen. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 #Leuven2024 #gravelbike #brabantsewouden
The dethroned Matej Mohorič sees himself unrewarded at the Gravel World Championships: "They had no motivation to work"
CyclingMonday, 07 October 2024 at 11:24
Matej Mohorič was unable to replicate his performance from last year. The Slovenian finished seventh at the Gravel World Championships on Sunday afternoon but can still look back with satisfaction. An injury had almost prematurely ended his season, making a title defense out of reach regardless.
Things didn’t look promising for Mohorič after his training accident in Girona, where a tendon in his hand was exposed. The Slovenian was scouting the gravel race at Sea Otter Europe in early September. "It was an unnecessary fall. I wasn’t fully focused. I slid out in a corner because, I think, I wasn’t used to riding so much on gravel, and I handled the bike as if I were on a road bike," Mohorič told Cyclingnews after the race.
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The crash forced the Slovenian time trial champion to miss the Road World Championships. After the fall, it took about a week for the wound to heal enough for him to make a fist. It was only a few days before the Gravel World Championships that it became clear he would be able to compete.
Mohorič rode an aggressive race but was stuck with three Belgians
That was a positive development for him. Despite his physical challenges, Mohorič rode aggressively, staying in the lead group and later initiating multiple attacks to spark a chase of Mathieu van der Poel and Florian Vermeersch. Together with Connor Swift (Great Britain), he tried to close the gap but was ultimately outmaneuvered by the tactical advantage of the Belgian riders.
"In the chasing group, I was with three Belgians, and that made it very difficult. They had no motivation to work," Mohorič said afterward. In the sprint of the chasing group, Quinten Hermans crossed the line first. Mohorič admitted his timing in the sprint wasn’t ideal: "I went too early, and that cost me a spot in the top five."
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Despite missing the podium, Mohorič looks back on his performance with satisfaction. "I’m happy with what I showed today. It could have been a medal, but that wasn’t in the cards. Still, I’m proud of my performance."
The Gravel World Championships do not mark the end of the season for Mohorič. He will still compete in a few more races in Italy, including the Gran Piemonte. "I have a few more chances this season, and after that, we’ll focus on next year."
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Latest Comments
- Van Aert is really handsome. He can influence me all day! Ditto for Philipsen. Why do you think many of us love cycling?: to see heroic attempts at climbing mountains at high altitudes or to watch speedsters sprint for the finish line or to watch a human being ride at break neck speed down a tricky descent? No, it's all about their lean physiques and muscular legs. (apologies for objectifying these dedicated and amazing athletes).BarwonHeadsUp25-10-2024
- It is unfortunate that the author can't feel the joy that Pogacar brings to the sport and his fans who are legion and I for one feel lucky to have watched such a memorable performance and historic season From the Strada until yesterday with multiple wins in stages in both tours and beyond dominance in the World's. He is proud to wear the Rainbow stripes, shows his leadership to protect his fellows and is as courteous and sportsman-like as the sport allows. He goes early to not have to respond to each attack as all the rest would make him do it. Any racer who could would do the same. Don't "grow tired" of greatness as it is always fleeting.ccrider13-10-2024
- What load of rubbish. Pog is likely a once in a generation cyclist, the like of which hasn't been seen since 'the Cannibal '. How many people were complaining that Merckx was making racing predictable? I remember this year's World RR as one of the most exciting I've watched. Mainly BECAUSE Pog was the favourite and launched what everyone thought (Pog included) was a suicidal attack with 80km to go. For the next 2 hours, I was on the edge of my seat thinking "this is too much, even for Pog". Maybe Zonnefeld prefers the snooze-fest that is a bunch sprint? Like most people I know, I can't watch two hours of the bunch riding very fast... I wait for the final 5km and watch just the sprint. In any event, most races are won from a sprint or lone break. What difference does it make who makes the lone break? Ultimately, the other contenders will have to figure out a way to beat Pog. Even if that means collaboration between teams. It's going to be an exciting few seasons, until the next Pog arrives on the scene. If this is boring, heaven knows what exciting looks like!Michael513-10-2024
- This is not a gravel race. UCI fail, from the surface they are on to team tactics. In what country was the first "gravel race" in what country is the most popular gravel race? Go with the race model that created the discipline.
Barnes127411-10-2024 - And don't forget he has now won 4 of the big 10 races (Grand tours, Monuments and WC/OG) in one year with a chance to make that 5. (5 has only been done once before)Joostmehrtens05-10-2024