Fabian Cancellara: 'They talk about Sagan and Van Avermaet, but it's not the same as me and Tom'
The Classics great says the burgeoning rivalry of Peter Sagan and Greg Van Avermaet can't compare to the duels between him and Tom Boonen
Recently retired Classics great Fabian Cancellara, says that the rivalry between Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) and Greg Van Avermaet (BMC Racing) is not the same as what he had with Tom Boonen in their golden years.
The Swiss stopped last year after winning Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix three times each. Often, he crossed swords with Quick Step’s Belgian Tom Boonen, who retires this April 9 after Paris-Roubaix.
>>> ‘You’d better work until three kilometres from the finish, instead of whining and waiting’
"It was me or him, it was always me and him, or you'd get a one-off, nothing against the other riders," Cancellara told Sporza.
"The Tour of Flanders from 2010 affected that status, then there were years I was in and he wasn't, or I was out and he was in. Still we rode in the peloton for years and that [duel] status came up.
"Now they talk about Peter Sagan and Greg Van Avermaet, the new duel, but it's not the same duel that Tom and I delivered to each other or the people watching at home."
Van Avermaet took some of his biggest wins against the Slovakian world champion. This year and last, the Belgian won Omloop Het Nieuwsblad ahead of Sagan.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Watch: Tour of Flanders essential guide
He attacked up the Kemmelberg in Ghent-Wevelgem on Sunday, Sagan raced to join him, and left his rival on the flats with Jens Keukeleire (Orica-Scott).
"I had many moments against Tom, but for sure [the 2010 Tour of Flanders] stands out. He was in the Belgian national jersey, I was as in the Swiss jersey.
"For sure, that day has its history, he was the favourite and the country was looking at that one day, then I was there and didn't move. For sure it was a duel, we went alone together, it turned out for me and I won."
Cancellara predicts exciting races over the next two weeks in the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix because he said everyone good winters.
"Greg and Peter Sagan are maybe a level higher, but we've seen other riders at a big level," he said.
"The people at home make their comments about who's strongest, if it's Tom, if it's me, if it's Sagan or Van Avermaet. It's always different. I don't think you can say it's the best because all of us would have to be in that one race together."
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Gregor Brown is an experienced cycling journalist, based in Florence, Italy. He has covered races all over the world for over a decade - following the Giro, Tour de France, and every major race since 2006. His love of cycling began with freestyle and BMX, before the 1998 Tour de France led him to a deep appreciation of the road racing season.
-
Enough already with the F1-inspired pit stops in gravel races: a call for self-sufficiency
The spirit of adventure, resourcefulness and inclusivity is diluted to the point where we risk losing sight of the qualities that made the discipline so unique.
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
-
Mathieu van der Poel extends with Alpecin-Deceuninck until the end of 2028
Dutchman inks new five-year deal after team's second triumph at Milan-San Remo last weekend with Jasper Philipsen
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Peter Sagan undergoes second heart procedure, as Olympics nears
Return to training after first operation reveals further heart rhythm issues
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Peter Sagan undergoes heart procedure after experiencing ‘tachycardic episode’
Slovakian has ablation procedure in Italian hospital after heart rate exceeded 200 bpm during MTB race in Spain
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Greg Van Avermaet, Olympic champion, Roubaix winner, to retire from cycling at the end of 2023
The Belgian says he has "no regrets" as he will head out of the peloton aged 38
By Adam Becket Published
-
Eight riders to watch in the men's Strade Bianche 2023
Wout van Aert sits out due to illness, opening the door for a potentially new winner in the Piazza del Campo
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
In celebration of Peter Sagan, cycling's rock and roll frontman
As the three-time world champion is set to call time on his career in the WorldTour at the end of 2023, we thought we would take a look back at the glory days
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Wout van Aert moots building gravel world championships into 2023 programme
Belgian rider says gravel racing has a ‘great future’ as he considers worlds participation next year
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Tom Boonen: 'Remco Evenepoel should get away from Belgium as much as possible'
The former Quick-Step rider said he didn't enjoy the fame of being world champion
By Tom Davidson Last updated
-
Peter Sagan to ride the UCI Gravel World Championships to ‘give back to the people’
‘I still have much more to give’ says Sagan on the decision to head to Italy for the competition
By Tom Thewlis Last updated