| THIS ONE WAS FOR GINO |
| At the end of an emotionally-charged final day at the 2023 Tour of Slovenia, Matej Mohorič crossed the line in Novo Mesto with tears in his eyes, smiled, and pointed to the sky. His gesture needs no explanation: |
“This one is inspired by Gino, and for Gino.”
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It was a stage that Mohorič had earmarked as his priority even before the race had started, having been agonisingly close to victory at the same finish last year. Then, he was thwarted by Tadej Pogačar (UAE), but nobody could stop the Slovenian today.
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A seven-man breakaway had well over a minute’s advantage as the peloton crossed the line for the first time, but that gap was quickly eroded until they were caught with 10km remaining. All six Team Bahrain Victorious riders had pulled hard on the front chasing all day; this was a perfect example of how the success of an individual cyclist is a result of a team working together.
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| Matej accelerated immediately and quickly left his rivals behind. At that moment, the overall race leader – Filippo Zanna (Jayco AlUla) – realised that his GC victory was in doubt and started to chase. |
| Soon enough, they were working together to keep the bunch a safe distance back, and as the end came into view, Zana had no answer for the Bahrain Victorious rider’s superiority on the last few hundred metres of cobbles. |
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| “I knew that today’s course suited me, and in the finale, I was so focused. I wanted to win so badly; I just wanted the stage win, I certainly wasn’t thinking about the GC,” he said afterwards. “For me – to get the first one on the board this season, and above all, for Gino. It was a little bit emotional today for what happened this week, but I wanted to give it all on the road. Everything’s went as planned.” |
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| In the end, Mohorič also finished second overall. It’s the 28-year-old’s first triumph of the season, but that is almost immaterial. There were tears from members of every team, all the staff, and the fans. The significance of this day goes far beyond the trophy, the flowers, the palmares, and even the sport itself. This was a human moment that will live long in our hearts. |
Our boys rode with one man in their minds.
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They rode, and won, for Gino.
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| (All pictures can be used for editorial and non-commercial usages only and are copyright @Sprintcycling @TeamBahrainVictorious) |
