Former World Champion Mohoric reflects after Gravel World Championship bronze: "Harder to make a difference"

Even though Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert were not there, top road cyclists had traveled to South Limburg to compete in the World Gravel Championships. UAE rider Vermeersch won and sprinted to the rainbow jersey, while men such as Tom Pidcock and Tim Wellens were also present. And Mohoric, of course, who was considered a dangerous contender.

The Slovenian has a good relationship with gravel. Two years ago, when the second World Gravel Championships were held in Italy, he was also there. Mohoric won then and immediately became world champion in the discipline. Last year, he finished seventh in Leuven, well behind the eventual winner Mathieu van der Poel.

The Slovenian, who rides for Bahrain Victorious on the road, finished third in South Limburg, taking the lowest step on the podium. “Today was a very tough race, as expected,” the Slovenian began his story after the race. “The course was a bit more straightforward compared to last year. That makes it harder to make a difference.”

“So it was quite tactical, with a lot of positioning at the start, in the first two hours,” Mohoric continued. At least the feeling was good. “In some cases, I just didn't quite make it, even though I felt good. I then managed to return to the front group. Unfortunately, I missed that first breakaway.”

Missing that breakaway would ultimately prove crucial. “That was the key to winning the race today,” Mohoric said. “Still, I found some space to attack in the second half of the race.” The Slovenian did so with verve and crossed the finish line 1 minute and 23 seconds behind the winner, Vermeersch.

Mohoric thus kept men such as Floris Van Tricht (fourth), Felix Stehli (fifth), Pidcock (sixth), and Wellens (seventh) behind him in the battle for the medals. “I think third place is a good result and that it was the best I could achieve,” the Slovenian concluded realistically after the race.