Description
I've loved books and reading since my childhood. In fact, it was books that broadened my horizons and opened the door to the world. All the stories of this world and the knowledge the world possesses are collected in libraries – the temples of civilisation – where everything is within reach on endless pages of fragrant paper. I devoured hundreds of picture books, children's and youth books, school curriculum reading books; and later a huge number of inspiring biographies, books on nutrition, fitness, sports psychology, and life in general. Each one became a piece in the mosaic of who I am and what I become after each read – an even better version of myself.
Uroš Buh interviewed me after the Tour de France in August 2021 for the Slovenian cycling magazine Bicikel. He then called me a few days later and surprised me with a bold idea: "Matej, I'd like to write a biography about you! People deserve to read your story." At first, I was alarmed by the idea, as I had an inkling of how much work would need to be put in for something like that, particularly considering my busy timetable. My worries were soon blown away by enthusiasm, and by the end of our next conversation two weeks later we were discussing the content and how we would go about it. Now, as I'm holding the book less than a year later, I feel the same as when I first sat on a racing bike – fantastic!
When I became the junior world champion in 2012, it was a major achievement for Slovenian cycling. When I won the junior category (U23) at the world championship the following year, the newspaper the next morning declared me a prodigy of Slovenian cycling with a bright future. That same year, I signed my first professional contract with a World Series team, and so my cycling story at the highest level began at the tender age of nineteen.
After a few seasons of uncertainty and getting used to being among the elite, I found the right rhythm again and in 2017 won a stage of the Vuelta a España, otherwise known as the Tour of Spain, and the Giro d'Italia the following spring. In the meantime, I bagged a few other victories: I became the national champion in the elite category and won a stage of the Deutschland Tour. Then came the 2021 season, which was truly a turning point for me: after a solid spring of work, I had a terrible fall in the Giro d'Italia and was forced to take an extended break from the bike. A month later, however, I managed to prepare for the Tour of Slovenia, to be close to the best. To top it all off, I won my second national championship in the road racing season in Koper. With that title in the bag, I went to the Tour de France in July '22, where all my personal plans aligned with the cycling star constellations: not one but two stage victories, a truly incredible achievement! That year, as the first Slovenian to do so, I managed to win the longest classic in great style: Milan-San Remo.
With years of experience, I've become increasingly aware of how much time, energy, and effort I invest in my profession. I barely have any time to spend with my loved ones and most of my time is spent preparing and competing. Despite all the sacrifices and limitations, I wouldn't change my life for anything in the world. I'm eternally grateful that my greatest passion is also my profession and that I can inspire others through my work.
When I was growing up on a farm beneath the Jelovica plateau, I never imagined that on a hot July day ten years later, I would trade a hay rake for a carbon handlebar in the Tour de France. Not much has changed: the sun, heat, and hard work have remained, but instead of having sore hands, I now have a sore rear end! The satisfaction in the evenings after the work is done, however, is of equal measure.
Enjoy,
Matej Mohorič