Slovenian Mohorič, not Pogačar, wins Milan-San Remo
SAN REMO, Italy (AP) – Everyone expected two-time Tour de France champion Tadej Pogačar to decide on the Milano-San Remo race, a tense attack.
It turned out to be a risky, fast descent of Matej Mohorič, another Slovenian cyclist, who proved to be the winning move of the spring classic on Saturday.
After four unsuccessful attacks by Pogačar on the way up Poggi, a short but steep ascent just before the goal of the 293-kilometer (182-mile) route, Mohorič accelerated almost as soon as the winding descent began.
Dangerously leaning into sharp turns on the serpentine path, Mohorič quickly created a small gap in front of a small group, which included Pogačar, Wout van Aert and Mathieu van der Poel – the three most accomplished current cyclists in the sport.
Mohorič, who rides for the Bahrain Victorious team, cut so many turns that both of his wheels slipped at one point. Somehow, however, he stayed upright and established a five-second lead by the end of the descent, and it was 2.2 kilometers (1.4 miles) by the end.
There followed another moment that could have caused panic as Mohorič’s chain loosened on the plane and ended up straight, but he also managed to overcome this and had time to celebrate before crossing the line on Via Roma.
Second and third place went to French cyclists Anthony Turgis and Van der Poel with two seconds behind.
Michael Matthews was fourth and Pogačar was fifth, two seconds behind.
The 27-year-old Mohorič also won two stages at last year’s Tour de France, winning one stage at both the Giro d’Italia and the Spanish Vuelta.
“I have been thinking about this race all winter,” said Mohorič. “I knew that if I could train properly over the winter and try to be in good enough condition not to fall on Poggio, and be on top with the best guys, I would have the opportunity to do the best downhill. And take a little risk, but I can I hold the victory. “
Mohorič used a specially designed sliding seat, which is more often seen in mountain biking, so that he could better control his bike when descending.
“The team set up my bike and we’ve had this plan for a long, long time,” he said.
Milano-San Remo is the first of five “monumental” races in the cycling season. Others are the Tour of Flanders, Paris-Roubaix, Liege-Bastogne-Liege and Lombardia.
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