Peter SaganCareer review of a record holder in pictures

Tour Magazin

 · 05.01.2024

A star is born: In his first Tour de France in 2012, at the age of 22, Peter Sagan wins three stages and his first green jersey. Here he is celebrating at the end of stage 3 from Orchies to Boulogne-sur-Mer.
Photo: Getty Images
Peter Sagan's impressive career as a professional road cyclist ends with 121 victories, including a record three world championship titles in a row. A career review in pictures.

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The Slovakian-born driver, who turns 34 on 26 January, has been one of the defining racing drivers of the past ten years. The fact that he is a gifted prankster and has made headlines with the odd escapade somewhat conceals the immense palmares he has created for himself. Peter Sagan over the course of his career. The statistics website procylingstats.com lists 121 victories in his professional career, which began in 2010 with Team Liquigas in the World Tour.

His three consecutive world championship titles from 2015 to 2017 are outstanding; he is the only professional in cycling history to have achieved this triple so far. Another record is his seven green jerseys at the Tour de France between 2012 and 2019; he also has twelve stage wins at the Tour of France to his name. In the most successful years of his career between 2015 and 2019, Sagan became one of the best one-day racers of his generation and won the cycling monuments Tour of Flanders (2016) and Paris-Roubaix (2018). After retiring from road cycling, Sagan plans to take part in the Olympic Games in Paris as a mountain biker.

Peter Sagan's successes

At his peak: In 2018, Sagan starts the race as one of the top favourites and wins Paris-Roubaix in the world champion's jersey.Photo: Getty ImagesAt his peak: In 2018, Sagan starts the race as one of the top favourites and wins Paris-Roubaix in the world champion's jersey.Unbelievable: At the 2017 World Championships in Bergen, Norway, Sagan beats Alexander Kristoff (left) and Michael Matthews to become world champion for the third time in a row.Photo: Kristoff RamonUnbelievable: At the 2017 World Championships in Bergen, Norway, Sagan beats Alexander Kristoff (left) and Michael Matthews to become world champion for the third time in a row.Confident: By winning three stages at the 2016 Tour, the Slovakian secured his fifth consecutive green jersey; he was correspondingly relaxed at the final podium ceremony on the Champs-Elysees.Photo: Getty ImagesConfident: By winning three stages at the 2016 Tour, the Slovakian secured his fifth consecutive green jersey; he was correspondingly relaxed at the final podium ceremony on the Champs-Elysees.More than just a sprinter: In 2016, Sagan wins the Tour of Flanders, here at the Oude Kwaremont, and finally establishes himself among the best one-day racers.Photo: Getty ImagesMore than just a sprinter: In 2016, Sagan wins the Tour of Flanders, here at the Oude Kwaremont, and finally establishes himself among the best one-day racers.

The showman Peter Sagan

Wheelie artist: You can entertain the spectators even without a chance of winning: at the 2019 Tour, on the climb to the Planche des Belles Filles, shortly before the finish.Photo: Kristoff RamonWheelie artist: You can entertain the spectators even without a chance of winning: at the 2019 Tour, on the climb to the Planche des Belles Filles, shortly before the finish.Rockstar: On the podium of the 2017 Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne spring classic, Sagan is a little reminiscent of Forrest Gump.Photo: Kristoff RamonRockstar: On the podium of the 2017 Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne spring classic, Sagan is a little reminiscent of Forrest Gump.Green wool: The last day of the Tour de France 2013. The green Peter Sagan show begins at the registration control for the stage from Versailles to Paris.Photo: Getty ImagesGreen wool: The last day of the Tour de France 2013. The green Peter Sagan show begins at the registration control for the stage from Versailles to Paris.

Breakdowns, bad luck & mishaps

Without fortune: Sagan was unable to win the Milan-San Remo sprint classic in 13 attempts. In 2017, he achieved his best result in the sprint behind Michal Kwiatkowski (centre). Julian Alaphilippe finishes third.Photo: Kristoff RamonWithout fortune: Sagan was unable to win the Milan-San Remo sprint classic in 13 attempts. In 2017, he achieved his best result in the sprint behind Michal Kwiatkowski (centre). Julian Alaphilippe finishes third.Wanting too much: At the Tour of Flanders 2017, Sagan gets his handlebars caught in a barrier at the Oude Kwaremont and knocks down the co-favourites Greg Van Avermaet and Oliver Naesen.Photo: Kristoff RamonWanting too much: At the Tour of Flanders 2017, Sagan gets his handlebars caught in a barrier at the Oude Kwaremont and knocks down the co-favourites Greg Van Avermaet and Oliver Naesen.Bottleneck: Sagan and Mark Cavendish duel in the sprint of stage 4 of the 2017 Tour, with the Brit crashing into the barriers. Sagan is disqualified, but the decision is overturned months later as a misjudgement.Photo: DPA Picture AllianceBottleneck: Sagan and Mark Cavendish duel in the sprint of stage 4 of the 2017 Tour, with the Brit crashing into the barriers. Sagan is disqualified, but the decision is overturned months later as a misjudgement.

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