'Overnight, everything changed' - Mohoric recounts Lampre collapse, UAE rescue and his move to Bahrain

The end of 2016 brought abrupt upheaval for Lampre-Merida when the team’s long-time backer in the Italian steel industry opted not to renew. A planned takeover by Chinese entity TJ Sports appeared set to secure the WorldTour squad’s future, but the deal collapsed late, leaving riders and staff adrift.

“The sponsorship ended by contract at the end of 2016. And they decided not to extend,” Mohorič said on the Domestique Hotseat.“

"Almost everything was already in place for the team to be backed by a Chinese company… then things went south. We realised that at the end of the season, quite late. We were basically left without a sponsor and the team was hanging in the air.”

The uncertainty was jarring, not least because the transition had seemed imminent. “We already had our training bikes that were all orange. For us, it was a done deal before and it was quite a shock to realise that there was now nothing,” he said.

Into the vacuum stepped Mauro Giannetti, who accelerated a Middle East project by securing a new backer from Abu Dhabi and taking over the team structure at speed. The switch came together overnight, according to Mohorič, with the roster largely intact thanks to the budget originally envisioned under the Chinese plan.

“It was a little bit hectic from the start because it all happened so fast,” Mohorič said. “But we had a good roster, good riders because the Chinese sponsor had a solid budget. We just changed the jersey and started racing. We had a pretty good season, all things considered.”

Even so, he acknowledged the operation was still finding its feet compared to the era’s standard-bearers. “It was probably not the most organised team there was that year. Some other teams were years ahead… Team Sky was winning everything almost,” he said. “Mauro was always saying that he and the sponsor were striving to be the best team in the world, taking baby steps. Now they have the biggest budget and the best riders in the world.”

Amid the instability, another path was opening as Mohorič explained how Bahrain’s project, led by team principal Milan Eržen, had been quietly forming, with deep personal ties guiding his decision.

“During that uncertainty, Milan Erženwas already planning this project. He’s very close to me, almost like my second father. He knew me since a young age and helped me get into pro cycling,” Mohorič said. 

“It was logical for me to join. We agreed to reserve a place for me there, not the first year, because I was still under contract with Lampre, but the following year.”

Mohorič spent the intervening season within the newly rebadged UAE setup and enjoyed the environment, but his future was already set. “During that year with UAE I also really liked that team, but I had already signed my contract with Bahrain,” he said. 

“There was not an option for me to stay, even though I was offered a contract. I actually felt really sorry that I had to refuse that offer, but I was looking forward to the future with Bahrain. If I had to go back, I would do the same again. I’m not regretting my choice.”

Listen to the full Hotseat podcast with Matej Mohorič👇