Tadej Pogačar: 'I didn’t dare follow Mohorič at Milan-San Remo, I know that he's crazy when the road goes down'
The Tour de France champion came up short after repeated attacks on the Poggio


Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) says he "didn't dare" follow eventual winner Matej Mohorič (Bahrain-Victorious) on the final descent at Milan-San Remo, saying his Slovenian compatriot was already taking big risks when he first passed him.
The Tour de France champion came up short of victory, taking fifth on the line, after animating the 113th edition of the Italian Monument with repeated attacking on the final ascent of the Poggio.
A marked man, the 23-year-old was unable to dislodge his closest rival Wout van Aert (Jumbo-Visma), and couldn't make a move with Søren Kragh Andersen (DSM) stick after Pogačar followed the Dane's attack within 500m of the Poggio summit.
On the notoriously technical descent from the top, it was Mohorič that put the most powerful riders in the world in the shade, taking significant risks to gap Pogačar and the other riders before soloing to victory. Mohorič revealed after the race that he was using a dropper post to aide his descending.
Pogačar finished the race satisfied despite seeing his hopes of victory fade on the Poggio descent, saying he simply wouldn't follow "crazy" Mohorič on the downhill.
“I’m happy: we showed a great team performance, racing proactively," Pogačar said after the finish.
"Congratulations to my team-mates and congratulations to Matej Mohorič, he deserved the victory: before the race, he told me not to try to follow him downhill and I replied that I was aware that it would be very difficult to follow him, since I know that he is crazy when the road goes down and also having noticed that he had a seat post dropper to launch even better.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
"In fact, when he overtook me downhill, I saw that he was already taking big risks, drifting and even coming off the road, so I didn’t dare follow him."
Pogačar has been at his formidable best so far this season, winning the two stage races - the UAE Tour and Tirreno-Adriatico - and his only one-day race Strade Bianche before competing at Milan-San Remo. He'll next head for his debut at the Flemish Classics at Dwars door Vlaanderen (March 30), before his second Monument of the year at the Tour of Flanders (April 3). Before that though, he says he'll need some rest.
"What we have done today as a team is an excellent sign for the next races and for the Milan-San Remo editions that we will race in the next few years," Pogačar said. "It was a very fun Classic.
"Now three days of rest await me, then I’ll start preparing my next appointments ”.
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Follow on Twitter: @richwindy
Richard is digital editor of Cycling Weekly. Joining the team in 2013, Richard became editor of the website in 2014 and coordinates site content and strategy, leading the news team in coverage of the world's biggest races and working with the tech editor to deliver comprehensive buying guides, reviews, and the latest product news.
An occasional racer, Richard spends most of his time preparing for long-distance touring rides these days, or getting out to the Surrey Hills on the weekend on his Specialized Tarmac SL6 (with an obligatory pub stop of course).
-
'Really, really dangerous' - crashes mar finish of Classic Brugge-De Panne as Juan Sebastián Molano wins
Pile-ups take Tim Merlier and Olav Kooij out of race finale
By Tom Davidson Published
-
The future of bicycle pumps is electric, and I am jumping on the bandwagon with this Cycplus AS2 electric pump deal in the Amazon Big Spring Sale
Cycplus has established a reputation for producing high-quality mini electric tyre inflators, and the compact AS2 is swiftly emerging as the market leader
By Matt Ischt-Barnard Published
-
How to watch Milan-San Remo 2025: Everything you need to live stream the first Monument of the season
All the key information on broadcasters and live streams for Milan-San Remo on March 22, the first Monument of the cycling season.
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Tadej Pogačar's quest for glory, San Remo Women is here, and will a sprinter win? Everything you need to know about Milan-San Remo
Milan-San Remo and San Remo Women kick off the Monuments on Saturday, here's how to watch, who to watch, and what to watch out for
By Adam Becket Published
-
'Winning is a dream' - Suspense builds for return of women's Milan-San Remo after 20 years
Race's comeback marks a new milestone, say riders
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Tadej Pogačar commemorates Strade Bianche crash with limited edition t-shirt - here's how you can buy it
Part of profits from new t-shirt will go to world champion's charity foundation
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'I came pretty close' - Tom Pidcock left with mixed feelings after finishing second to Tadej Pogačar at Strade Bianche
Pidcock explains he didn’t want to ‘take advantage’ of world champion’s 'unfortunate' crash
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'Not the best way to win a race' - Tadej Pogačar comes back from dramatic crash to claim third Strade Bianche victory
World champion in 'a lot of pain' after falling into a ditch
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Tadej Pogačar crashes into ditch at Strade Bianche, remounts bike to continue
World champion goes on to win race following rare crash
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'When he starts his Tour preparation, we’ll then see Jonas 2.0' - Jonas Vingegaard heads to Paris-Nice almost at full strength, coach says
Tim Heemskerk says the Danish star is not interested in outside noise as he attempts second stage race win of the year
By Tom Thewlis Published