Peter Sagan won the Road Cycling World Championship in 2015, 2016 and 2017, making him the first and so far only cyclist to win this title three times in a row. Winning the points classification at the Tour de France seven times is also unique in the history of cycling. He is quick-witted, usually up for a joke and doesn't fit in at all with the dogged racing bike scene. His fans appreciate this. Almost 2 million people follow him on his Instagram channel. After his active road cycling career, he wants to attack again on his mountain bike. However, he is struggling with cardiac arrhythmia. We spoke to him at the Bike Festival in Riva del Garda.
Peter, the idea was to compete at the Olympic Games in Paris. Will it work out?
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.
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If you had to put money on a medallist at the Olympics, who would it be?
Here's to my Specialized colleagues, I'm keeping my fingers crossed for them...
...without any sponsorship commitments. What about Tom Pidcock and Nino Schurter?
I think my team-mates Victor Koretzky, Martin Vidaurre and Christopher Bevins have what it takes to score points at the Olympics.
You followed the World Cup in Brazil and are now here at the Bike Festival in Riva del Garda. If you compare the mountain bike scene with the road bike scene, what is the biggest difference?
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.
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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?
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).
Do you follow the Downhill World Cup?
Not every race, but I follow who is on the podium. It's exciting to watch, no question about it.
Peter Sagan's bucket list
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?
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.
Laurin Lehner
Editor
