Matej Mohorič will debut his 2023 UCI Gravel World Championship rainbow jersey at the gravel circuit’s most famous race next week when he takes to the line at the Unbound Gravel 200 in Emporia, Kansas.
After winning the world title in Veneto on his gravel debut, the Slovenian will compete alongside teammates Matevž Govekar and Lukas Wiśniowski in the 203-mile (327km) race on June 1 as part of a 137-man field elite.
“I’m excited to be participating in the ‘Unbound Gravel 200’ for the first time. It will only be the second gravel race of my life, so there are still a lot of unknowns,” said Mohorič in a press release from Bahrain Victorious. .
“To be honest, I don’t know what to expect! It’s a little longer than last year’s Gravel World Championship” – where riders only had to cover 169 kilometres. “It’s twice the distance, twice the time and twice the elevation gain, so it’s suitable for riders with more stamina and stamina. I’m not sure how I’ll do against the others, but I’ll definitely do my best and enjoy my day in the rainbow jersey as the reigning world champion.
“It will be a unique and unique experience, and I will make the most of it.”
Mohorič will be among a large contingent of current and former road professionals, including Joris Nieuwenhuis, Lawrence Naesen, Daniel Oss, Jan Bakelants, Greg Van Avermaet, Chad Haga, Nicolas Roche, Alex Howes and Niki Terpstra, and former roadies who they have become gravel privateers such as defending champion Keegan Swenson, Peter Stetina, Laurens ten Dam, Ian Boswell and Nathan Haas.
They will also face talented gravel riders like Torbjørn Andre Røed, winner of last season’s Big Sugar Gravel, Adam Roberge, winner of the 2023 Gravel Locos, and Mattia De Marchi, winner of this year’s Utopia Gravel Fest.
“Lukasz and Matevž will be with me and we will make it an unforgettable day. It will be very long and very difficult, but we will try and go ahead; why not,” said Mohorič.
Unbound, with its almost entirely gravel course, offers one of the most challenging off-road race routes, with hard gravel, water crossings and relentless climbs totaling over 10,000 feet of climbing.
The race could be a big surprise for Wiśniowski, who will be racing on dirt for the first time.
“I have never competed on dirt and I know very little about the race itself, but I know that my role will be to protect our leader Matej, support him and help him on the course however I can,” said Wiśniowski. “I’m really happy because it’s my first big gravel race, so even though I’m not that young, I have to learn all the time and I’ll do my best that day!”
The Unbound Gravel 200 is largely self-sustained, with two fuel zones where riders can refuel, but riders can help each other, which makes the presence of teammates even more critical than in a typical road race.
“I’m really excited to try my luck in the ‘gravel race of all gravel races’, but at the same time I’m scared because of the length,” said Govekar. “I’m very young, but I already know that this is a big physical and mental challenge. I’ll try my best in the race, of course, and you never know what could happen!”
