Matej Mohorič's Merida Silex UCI Gravel World Champion edition is full of secrets and meanings

In 2023, Slovenian Matej Mohori? was crowned UCI Gravel World Champion with a bike that had not been released to the market until then. That Merida SILEX 2024 could not have had a better presentation, now arriving in a very special edition, with the colors of the rainbow jersey and full of curiosities.

The special edition Merida SILEX World Champion of Matej Mohori?

Since its first presentation in 2018, the Merida Silex has been an adventure-focused bicycle that has gained a lot of prominence in the manufacturer's catalog from the beginning. Now, with the latest model update, it has also proven to be a gravel bike capable of performing at the highest level, on which Matej achieved victory in the World Championship of the discipline.

After putting on the rainbow jersey, the designers at Merida wanted to pay a very special tribute to both Mohori? and the SILEX itself, creating this special edition full of details.

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This "World Champion" SILEX shows the famous five colors of the rainbow jersey arranged in a spiral shape on the top tube and also inside the fork. The sharp edges and straight lines of the spiral pay homage to the modern and sharp design of the new SILEX. In addition, on the rear of the frame, we see a finish that imitates stone and directly references the meaning of the word SILEX (in Latin: stone, pebble, or flint).

Among the most personal details of the bike, we find "MOHO" written on the fork and an owl on the top tube. The owl and its "tools" have an important meaning for Matej and are a key part of this design. The owl and the textbook underneath symbolize study, wisdom, and science. Key elements that Matej holds dear. In addition, the rake refers to his humble upbringing on a farm, and the elegant cane alludes to Matej's love for fashion and style.

Finally, just above the bottom bracket, the bike bears Matej's full name, the place and distance of his victory, and the crucial hashtag #RIDEFORGINO, a key message for Matej and the entire Team Bahrain Victorious.

Matej was involved in the project from the beginning and commented on his enthusiasm for his new SILEX:

"I love everything about my new SILEX. Every time I ride it, it reminds me why I started cycling and how happy it makes me. I also love my REACTO, but sometimes I almost see it as my work tool. The SILEX is different. I ride gravel for fun and adventure, and this bike brings out new emotions in me. Not only the focus and commitment to be the best athlete I can be, but also the pure joy of riding and feeling alive and connected to nature. I am proud to be the current World Champion and I am eager to show off the beautiful paint in this year's gravel races. It's really exciting."