the slovak Peter Sagan (TotalEnergies), triple World Road Champion, will retire from professional road cycling at the end of the season and will focus on preparing for their participation in the Paris Olympic Games in the mountain bike modality, as announced in the Vuelta a San Juan.
Sagan, who turned 33 yesterday, gathered prominent press in San Juan to announce his decision not to compete in World Tour events once the 2023 season endsand the run will focus on the mountain bike modality with Paris 2024 in mind.
“I have to say that the time has come. I said that I want to finish this season as a WorldTour racing cyclist. I want to prepare for the Olympic Games on a mountain bikea”, he pointed out surrounded by colleagues, technicians, assistants and a representative on a stage set up at the Villicum Autodrome, near San Juan.
The winner of 12 stages of the Tour de France, 4 of the Vuelta and the Paris Roubaix and the Tour of Flanders, among other victories, having completed the figure of 121 since his professional debut in Liquigas in 2010, is in his second season with Totalnergies and plans to compete this year in several classics and the Tour de France.
“I always said I wanted to finish my mountain bike career, because I started my cycling career in this specialty. I really like this decision to end my career because I’m doing something that I really enjoy,” he said.
“El Bicho”, an idol in San Juan, commented that he loves being with his son Marlon and seeing life from different angles, and not as a cyclist.
“I never dreamed of running until I was 40. I think now is the time. And if I can finish my career in Paris at the Olympics, that would be a good thing for me.”
Sagan has the possibility to continue with TotalEnergies as a mountain biker in 2024and may occasionally participate in a non-WorldTour road event.
Sagan competed in the mountain bike event at the 2016 Rio Olympics, but admitted his decision to ride in Paris 2024 was “for fun.”
“It’s not about looking for a medal, I don’t want the pressure of whether I win or lose. It’s something I’ve always wanted, finish my mountain bike career and next year is an Olympic year. But I want to do it for me, and not for others.”
Source: La Verdad
I’m Robert Maynard, and I am a passionate journalist with experience in sports writing. For the last few years, I have been writing for Today Times Live. My main focus has been on sports-related stories and features. With my strong background in journalism and extensive knowledge of the industry, I am able to provide readers with well-crafted pieces that are both informative and engaging.
