MATEJ MOHORIC
CANNONDALE PRO CYCLING
So, the race season has begun and for the first time in my life, it started as early as January at the Tour Down Under. In previous years I’d have been checking the race results before heading out for a cold or even snowy ride, wishing I was racing somewhere sunny. So when I was asked if I wanted to start in Australia, you’ll be able to guess how quickly I answered yes.
The winter was a nice experience for me. I spent most of it away from my home in Slovenia, away from the cold, rain and snow, boarding a plane from Tuscany to sunny California right after our December training camp. Then I spent a couple of great weeks training before the team presentation. You’ll have read all about it in this magazine but that event rocked, especially Moreno Moser, who put on quite a show from the stage. I’ve quickly realised that I’m part of an amazing team. All the riders and staff are very nice and I like to think I’ve been well accepted.
From California I dodged the cold weather one more time, heading to Adelaide for the Tour Down Under and my first- ever pro race. My first impression of WorldTour racing? It’s awesome. The speed is…. well, it’s fast, although you have to experience it yourself to believe just how fast. The kilometres before the important climbs, the crucial turns and the final few kilometres were just incredible. The peloton seems to fly.
One happy surprise; I thought that coming in as a very young neo-pro that guys would be riding into me, maybe even give me a hard time and yell at me. It turned out to be the exact opposite. The respect in the peloton is huge and I didn’t experience any yelling or dangerous moves. Before a turn, there’s no overtaking or braking at the final possible moment, which was what happened in the younger category races.
Now, when I watch a broadcast or video of an important race, I realise I will start to see things differently. The last few kilometres of a top level pro race have an intensity that I have never experienced before and they are impossible to truly appreciate from a television screen. When we pass the 2km banner, my heart rate is going through the roof and my legs feel they’re on the verge of exploding.
But this is the moment where the real sprint begins for guys like my team-mates Guillaume Boivin and Elia Viviani. It is an amazing thing to experience and after getting a first taste of it. I’m so excited about doing more in the months and hopefully years to come.