Which one is Matej Mohorič's favorite climb?

Matej Mohorič is considered one of the best cyclists in the world and is currently fighting for a remarkable result in the Tour de France. During his career, he has already climbed all the most famous climbs in Europe and around the world. From the short and explosive ones in Belgium to the hardest, long climbs in Spain, France and Italy, he participated in the biggest and most prestigious three-week Grand Tour races in these countries: the Vuelta, the Tour and the Giro.

A world-class cyclist

He’s a world-class cyclist and one of the few in the history of this sport who can boast stage victories in all three races: Tour de France (2021), Giro d'Italia (2018) and Vuelta (2017). But what is his favorite climb?

The answer may surprise you. This is not the famous Alpe d'Huez or the Stelvio. His ascent is in Slovenia, his “royal climb” of many images is the ascent through his native village of Podblica to Jamnik. The ascent, which in all the steeper parts rewards you with a spectacular view of the surrounding hills of Škofja Loka, is nestled under the slope of Jelovica, and on the right the view of the Kamnik-Savinja Alps and Karawanks quietly unfolds. The breathtaking view of Gorenjska opens entirely right at the top, at the church of St. Primož and Felicijan in Jamnik.

The ascent to Jamnik is 6.7 km long and has an average gradient of 5.9%. The first two kilometers of the ascent are relatively gentler, although the start is as much as a 10%, the slope acquires a gentler face rather quickly, as it stretches into serpentines all the way to the village of Podblica.

This is followed by a more difficult part of the ascent, where the average gradient is 8%. The most difficult part may be the direct continuation from the central part of the village, where the road becomes "upright". It is necessary to overcome a section with a 17% gradient. The last 700 meters of ascent are significantly kinder to tired muscles and has a more important effect on clarifying thoughts, but for the most enduring, it is again an opportunity to play with speed and remaining strength. The latter are calling for a new challenge: a sprint to the top, to the end and - a little further to get the right turns to continue cycling and descend to Kropa.

The ascent to Jamnik is also part of the longer, 145 km long route (RACE) of the Sunday’s L'Etape Slovenia test on September 4, 2022 in Kranj. It is an excellent opportunity for cycling training, whether preparing for L'Etape or maintaining the cycling fitness already accumulated. We advise beginner cyclists if they are going to climb, they should go about it smartly: at their own pace, without exaggeration, perhaps approach in stages. The first ride should end in the village, then systematically train on other terrains, and over time try to reach the top of Jamnik.

In any case, always be equipped with enough liquid and some nutritional bar also in summer ride in the early morning hours if possible, as the heat is mercilessly scorching, which has a negative effect on physical performance.

Watch the video and listen to Matej Mohorič about his favorite climb.