The Slovenian was the fastest during the descent of the Poggio at the death while French TotalEnergies cyclist Anthony Turgis also made a final attack to rise to second on the podium.

Alpecin-Fenix’s Dutch rider Mathieu van der Poel completed the podium in third.

The 133rd edition started in the famous Vigorelli Velodrome in Milan and the 293 kilometre race would go through the Po Plain and Passo del Turchino as well as the Ligurian coast.

Following on would be the trio of Capi climbs and the hills of Cipressa and Poggio.

While the initial four hours of racing was without drama, the pace quickened once the riders reached the Capi climbs.

The second hill, the Capo Cervo, saw breakaway cyclists attack one another in a bid to gain an advantage.

Members of the Jumbo-Visma, Alpecin-Fenix, Ineos Grenadiers and Bahrain Victorious teams were leading the race as it came to Cipressa, which was only 27km away from the finish line.

After the race progressed through Cipressa, UAE Team Emirates and Jumbo-Visma launched an offensive which meant under 30 cyclists had a chance at a podium.

Slovenian Tadej Pogačar attacked for UAE Team Emirates on the slight inclines of the Poggio with Belgian Wout van Aert and The Netherlands Mathieu Van Der Poel on his heels.

A crash on one of the corners left an estimated 20 riders to accelerate to the finish line.

Danish Team DSM rider Søren Kragh Andersen pushed in front, but the door was left open for Mohorič.

He skilfully manoeuvred during the final declines to create a decisive gap at the end of the race to win in a time of 6 hrs 27 mins 49 secs.

After his victory, the 27-year-old spoke about the journey he had been on to secure the greatest victory of his career so far,

"The team came up with the idea of using a dropper post because this race suits me pretty well and it has a descent at the end,” he told Eurosport.

"I knew that if I could train properly and be in a good enough condition to not be dropped on the Poggio, that I have a chance of doing my best descent and risking a little bit but maybe being able to hang on for the win.

"I was in perfect condition after I was ill in February, but then unfortunately I had quit a big crash when [Julian] Alaphilippe crashed in Strade Bianche and I hurt my knee pretty bad and I was off my bike for three or four days.

"But I never stopped believing - I said if we worked so hard this winter and set up the bike, then we need to make the best of it.

"I did a lot of physio every night and every morning and I never stopped believing.

"I did some basic training to keep as much condition as possible.

"Today I'm here - I wasn't going super well but it was enough to stay with the best on the Poggio. I just went all-in, and I can't believe.

"I'm without words."