Matej Mohoric thought everything was going well. His fourth place in Liège had given him the right push to go to the Vuelta He'd been playing for a few stages, but a crash had already sidelined him in the second stage. He'd reached the finish line in Lekunberri, one of those he'd circled in red. He'd been studying the elevation profile for days: all he had to do was crest the Alto de Aralar, and in the next dive he'd surely leave the field empty-handed. He'd sadly headed to the team bus. Bahrain-McLaren, without yet knowing that He wouldn't leave the next day. Fractured scapula, that's the diagnosis.i. A… polite fracture: no intervention required. Just rest and patience.
We found him after almost 4 months. In a good mood and with clear ideasMatej always gives the same impression of having everything under control and that nothing escapes him. A rational approach to his profession that apparently leaves little room for dreams. Perhaps he's one of those who initially tormented himself too much with his ideal weight, but now he's at the height of his powers and The Giro and the Tour, as always, stand out in his program for captain Landa.
Is the scapula okay?
Yes, after the injury I worked with the physiotherapist and we recovered quite quicklyA month later I was back to normal, no more pain.
Before the crash, were you satisfied with how 2020 was going?
Yes, even though it has been a very special year for everyone. In 2020 I didn't win and for this reason I was even more disappointed by what happened to me at the VueltaI felt very good, after the good placing in Liège I was motivated to go to Spain to try to win a stage. Overall I think 2020 was good for me, but In 2021 I would like to take a step forward.
Without the fall and the fracture, would you have raced a Vuelta as a protagonist?
I think so, I was very motivated and I felt good. The fall was all my fault, I was too determined to take the front positions on one of the last descents and I made a mistake. I really believed I could win that stage.
You've won week-long stage races and come close to Liège: have you figured out whether you can aim for the Classics or the Tours?
Perhaps I have a better chance of winning the difficult classics than the stage racesI haven't yet proven myself among the best on long climbs, but it's different in one-day races. I think I can do well at Milan-San Remo and Liège. The Strade Bianche will also be an important objective this year.
Can you describe the ending of Liège? Did you realize Roglic could win, or was it just a big mistake by Alaphilippe?
In Liège, I got back to the front very late and used up a lot of energy. I also had cramps. I knew it was almost impossible to compete in a sprint with the four in front, so I tried to surprise them.I also knew that Alaphilippe is very careful in these situations and I never saw him waste a moment. I set out trying to surprise them. And this time too Julian he saw me pass by and took advantage of my slipstream to launch his sprint. Perhaps he was too convinced he was the strongest and certainly didn't see that Roglic was very close to his right. He made a mistake and his mistake cost him a lot.
What will your 2021 schedule be?
The main objectives will be Strade Bianche, Milan-Sanremo, Catalunya, Amstel, Liège. After the classics I'm preparing for the Giro.
Has anything changed in your preparation?
We have learned a lot in the past years. We have tried to do everything we need well and carefully, and we have tried to avoid all distractionsOver the last two years I've often been in good shape, but for a thousand reasons each time I've been missing something to secure an important victory.
You raced with Nibali, now you're with Landa: can you describe their differences as leaders?
Both are very calm. Perhaps Nibali was often good at managing on his own when he needed to move forward and gain positions. Landa, on the other hand, knows how to make better use of the work of his teammatesThey are both great champions and I have always tried to learn from them as much as possible.
Slovenia is leading the way in the rankings: do you want to take your place alongside Pogacar and Roglic?
They finished the Tour first and second in the general classification, I don't think finishing third is within my reach (laughs, ed.).
Which of the two are you closer to?
I'm friends with both of themWe often go out cycling together.
Are the Olympics a goal?
No, I think that after the Giro and the Tour I will be tired and I'm not convinced that doing the Olympics is the right choice for me considering the final part of the season.
When is your first race this year?
The Laigueglia Trophy, maybe we'll see each other there...
