Matej Mohoric has withdrawn from the road race world championships, weakening Tadej Pogachar's Slovenian squad for Sunday's men's race. However, according to Cycling News, Mohoric will try to defend his title at the gravel world championships in Leuven, Belgium, on October 6.

Mohoric was expected to play a key supporting role for Tadej Pogachal in the 273.9km hilly road race in Zurich, but in a training crash before the Sea Otter European gravel race in Girona last weekend He has not fully recovered from the injuries he sustained in a training crash before last weekend's Sea Otter European gravel race in Girona.

Slovenian national coach Uroš Murun revealed that Mohoric suffered stitches in the palm of his hand and missed the race in Zurich at the final check on Wednesday. His replacement is Matic Jumel, a member of the Sava Krani Cycling Continental team.

Mohoric's loss is significant. He won junior world titles in 2012 and 2013, is a proven Classics winner, won Milan-San Remo in 2022, and has stage wins in all three Grand Tours. He will be an important teammate for Pogachar on the final lap of the hilly Zurich circuit.

Pogachar has his sights set on cycling's triple crown of the Giro d'Italia, Tour de France, and world title, but faces significant competition from Remco Evenpole, Mathieu van der Pol, and other major cycling nations.

Slovenia enters the men's race with eight riders, with World Tour riders Primoš Roglic, Jan Tratnik, Domen Novak, Luka Mezgek, and Matevš Govečar supporting Pogachar. Continental rider Jaka Primožič will make up the team.

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