Matej Mohorič Takes Bronze at the UCI Gravel World Championships

# Matej Mohorič Secures Bronze at 2025 UCI Gravel World Championships

Bahrain Victorious cyclist Matej Mohorič added another accolade to his impressive career by clinching the bronze medal at the 2025 Bolero UCI Gravel World Championships in South Limburg, The Netherlands, on October 12th. This remarkable achievement follows his title as the 2023 UCI Gravel World Champion.

The fourth edition of the Gravel World Championships featured a challenging 180 km route through the iconic rolling terrain and unpaved roads of South Limburg, known for its rich potential in gravel racing. This discipline is one of cycling’s fastest-growing forms, merging aspects of road and mountain biking across varied terrains, from gravel paths to cobblestones.

Florian Vermeersch of UAE Team Emirates triumphed in the elite Men’s race, becoming the new rainbow jersey holder. After two consecutive silver medals, Vermeersch broke away at the 120 km mark, distancing himself from his breakaway companions and completing a solo effort to victory. Frits Biesterbos of the Netherlands earned silver, while Mohorič finished 1 minute and 23 seconds behind the winner, leading the chase group.

Reflecting on his performance, Mohorič stated, “Today the race was really hard, as expected. The parcours was a bit more straightforward than last year, so it was difficult to make a difference. So it was quite tactical, with a lot of positioning early on. I got caught out a couple of times but managed to come back to the front. Unfortunately, I missed the first key breakaway, which was crucial to winning today. Still, I found space to attack in the second half of the race, and I think third place is a great result — the best we could do today.”

He expressed pride in representing his team and sponsors, stating, “I’m proud to show this great bike and all our partners’ equipment — it was key to our success. We’ve gained a lot of experience in gravel over the past years, and equipment choice is crucial. I’m happy to bring a medal home and now look forward to the off-season.”

Bahrain Victorious Sports Director Franco Pellizotti lauded Mohorič’s performance, emphasizing the speed of the race: “We knew it would be a difficult and very fast race, as the course was less technical than previous years. The speed was incredibly high. Our riders were very motivated — both Matej and Matevž [Govekar] — but unfortunately Matevž suffered a puncture right when the breakaway formed and couldn’t come back. Matej, as always, managed to stay at the front and read the race perfectly. Even if he wasn’t at his very best, his experience and intelligence on the bike made the difference.”

Pellizotti concluded, “This bronze medal is an excellent result for him and for the team, closing the season in the best way possible.”

With this podium finish, Mohorič not only solidifies his status in gravel racing but also sets the stage for future competitions as he heads into the offseason.