Peter Sagan became world road champion in 2015, 2016 and 2017, making him the first and so far only professional cyclist to win this title three times in a row. He is also the record holder with seven victories in the points classification at the Tour de France. The Slovakian is quick-witted, always up for a joke and is the antithesis of most professional cyclists. His fans love him for it. Almost two million people follow Sagan on Instagram. After his active road cycling career, he wants to give mountain biking another go. However, Sagan has a lot to do with Heart rhythm disturbances to fight. We spoke to him at the Bike Festival in Riva del Garda.
TOUR: Peter, the idea was to compete at the Olympic Games in Paris. Will it work out?
Peter Sagan: That is not yet clear. A normal qualification for the Olympics via my home country Slovakia doesn't work. I need a wildcard (editor's note). Only the best 19 nations receive an XCO starting place for the Games in Paris). Secondly, my body isn't really playing ball yet. I had heart surgery in February. Here at the Bike Festival in Riva del Garda I started in a race for the first time. I'm currently at 40 per cent of my performance level.
At this point, you will find external content that complements the article. You can display and hide it with a click.
TOUR: If you had to put money on a medallist at the Olympics, who would it be?
Peter Sagan: Here's to my Specialized colleagues, I'm keeping my fingers crossed for them...
TOUR: ...without any sponsorship commitments. What about Tom Pidcock and Nino Schurter?
Peter Sagan: I think my team-mates Victor Koretzky, Martin Vidaurre and Christopher Bevins have what it takes to score points at the Olympics.
TOUR: You followed the World Cup in Brazil and are now here at the Bike Festival in Riva del Garda. When you compare the mountain bike scene with the road bike scene, what is the biggest difference?
Peter Sagan: It's completely different. When you're mountain biking, you're out in nature, which I like. In the Tour de France, everything is stricter and more synchronised. It's like a huge roadshow, you ride from town to town.
At this point, you will find external content that complements the article. You can display and hide it with a click.
TOUR: Multi-talented Tom Pidcock once said that he could imagine competing in a downhill race. Now that you've switched to the MTB camp, is that also conceivable for you?
Peter Sagan: I don't have a downhill bike. The bike with the most suspension travel that I own is a Specialized Stumpjumper. But if Tom starts a downhill race, I might think about it (laughs).
TOUR: Do you follow the Downhill World Cup?
Peter Sagan: Not every race, but I follow who is on the podium. It's exciting to watch, no question about it.
TOUR: You've given up your road bike career and you say you're not taking the switch to the MTB paddock too seriously. What else is on your bucket list, apart from cycling?
Peter Sagan: I still want to learn kitesurfing. I've also tried windsurfing and enjoyed it. I've been focussing on cycling all these years, but now I'm looking forward to trying other things as well. But this year I want to concentrate on mountain biking and for that I need to finally get fit and get my heart under control.
Peter Sagan's greatest successes on the road
- 3x world champion in road racing (2015, 2016, 2017)
- Winner of the green jersey at the Tour de France (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019)
- 12x Tour de France stage winner (between 2012 and 2019)
- Paris-Roubaix winner (2018)
- Winner of the Tour of Flanders (2016)
- 3x winner Gent-Wevelgem (2013, 2016, 2018)
- 18x Tour de Suisse stage winner
- 17x stage winner Tour of California
- Winner of the points classification at the Giro d'Italia (2021)
- Winner of the Velo d'Or 2016
- First UCI World Ranking List 2016
- A total of 121 victories as a professional, 69 of them at World Tour level
Laurin Lehner
Editor
