He reached the finish line in style. Riding on the back wheel and with a smile on his face, Peter Sagan finally said goodbye to his competitive career. He finished road cycling a month ago and confirmed on Sunday in Košice that he will not continue mountain biking either. He is still considering his future, but it is already certain that the three-time world champion will make his last appearance at a major competitive race.
Photo: ČTK / Červený Michal
Peter Sagan on a mountain bike.
He said goodbye as the vice-champion of Slovakia in cross-country. During the acceptance of the silver medal, the fans rewarded him with thunderous applause.
“To all the fans, thank you very much for the support you have shown me throughout my life. I believe that we will see each other somewhere,” says Sagan.
How do you feel about saying goodbye to your competitive career?
I am satisfied with the second place for the fact that I came without training. I expected it to be difficult and it was confirmed. I am glad that the race was completed without serious injuries. I’m glad I didn’t fall and reached the finish line.
For you, is second place the maximum you could achieve given your health?
I knew that I couldn’t beat Matej Ulík, who finished first. He approaches mountain bike competition with the utmost seriousness.
I only came to the number and I had the hope that I could finish on the podium. It would be unfair if I were to win because I didn’t do my best for it. I am also happy for the title of vice-champion.
Can you confirm that you are definitively ending your competitive career?
If we take serious races into account, then probably yes. I will definitely participate in a few more cycling events. It will be more like just driving around with people.
If you were to look back on your successful career, what would you say it was?
It probably doesn’t need to be evaluated in any special way. The career I was able to experience was beyond my expectations. If someone had told me fifteen years ago that I could achieve what I have, I certainly would not have believed them. I rate it super and I’m grateful for all the achievements I’ve gotten.
Will your daily schedule, which you have strictly given throughout your career, change from the ground up?
I lived my whole life as an athlete and I didn’t have time for many things besides my career. That will change now. Of course, I’m not done with sports and I will devote myself to it, albeit at a different level than before.
Outwardly, you appear balanced. For most athletes, the end of their career is a very emotional matter…
I experienced great emotions last year at the Tour de France and this year when I had heart problems. But everything turned out as it should and I am satisfied and settled with my decision.
Where will we see you next?
In a week, I’m going to Germany for a test, and then I’ll be moving to Cartagena, Colombia. After that, I still have some marathons in Spain and Saudi Arabia. So I have a few smaller events planned. I will definitely participate in events in Slovakia. After all, I am Slovak.
You end up the way you started – mountain biking. Do you also see it as a certain symbolism?
Life arranged it that way. At the beginning I got an offer to compete in professional cycling. Something like that is not rejected. I’ve always had the option of going back to mountain biking. However, there was no more space for that.
What do you think of Tadej Pogačar’s triumph at the Tour de France?
He deservedly won the yellow jersey. Before the last stage, I kept my fingers crossed for him to reach the finish line calmly, and he succeeded.
Source: sportweb.pravda.sk
