Matej Mohorič optimistic after aggressive ride at Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne falls short

Matej Mohorič (Bahrain Victorious) is confident that he's on the right path after a solid display in Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne.

The Slovenian didn't have the legs to be competitive when Wout van Aert drove a select group clear over a series of climbs but was able to counter-attack with Matteo Jorgenson (Visma-Lease a Bike), and almost fend off the peloton to fight for a fourth-place finish into Kuurne.

Ultimately, Mohorič, Jorgenson and Laurence Pithie (Groupama-FDJ), who had been dropped from the leading group after making the initial selection, were brought back on the finishing circuit, but the race was yet another chance for Mohorič to play a pivotal role in another Classic. He eventually finished 79th behind race winner Van Aert.

"When it exploded on Saint Laurent on the cobbles I didn't quite have it to go with the first four. I tried to take a group away with an attack and it was me and Matteo (Jorgensen) that when clear but if I had good legs today I would probably would have been able to stay away. But with these legs it was not possible. But I think I will be ready for the rest of the Classics," he said.

• Read more: Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne: Wout van Aert takes dominant win from the break

Post-race, Mohorič was asked how his form stacked up against the competition.

"It is more or less what we expected. I was quite confident before the race but obviously in the race you see how the others are. They raise the bar and the level is higher every year."

Mohorič has a busy Classics campaign ahead with his schedule taking him to the white gravel roads of Strade Bianche next weekend. Staying in Italy, he will then take on Milan San-Remo before beginning his assault on the cobbled Classics. E3 and Gent-Wevelgem feature as a warm-up to the main events of the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix.

• Read more: A closer look at Bahrain Victorious' 2024 pro bike: Matej Mohorič’s Merida Reacto

Mohorič will conclude the Classics in the Ardennes with Amstel Gold Race, Flèche Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège rounding out his calendar.

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