'It's just a jersey': Sagan says pressure still the same even without rainbow bands
Three-time world champion Peter Sagan is aiming to triumph in Milan-San Remo this season, beginning his racing in Europe at Tirreno-Adriatico


The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Thank you for signing up to The Pick. You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) says the pressure is still the same without the world champion's rainbow jersey this 2019 season.
The rainbow bands was "just a jersey" said the Slovakian who started his season with the Tour Down Under and currently riding the Vuelta a San Juan.
"It is still the same bike races and the same fatigue so I don't think it is much different," Sagan said.
>>> Iljo Keisse kicked off Vuelta a San Juan after miming sex act while posing for picture with fan
Sagan wore the rainbow jersey for three years, winning in 2015, 2016 and 2017. Now he rides in his Slovak national champion top that looks similar but with different bands.
"It is just the jersey. We have to wear something so it doesn't matter if I wear this one or a different one."
Earlier, Coach and sports director Patxi Vila said that Sagan's "a marked man" even without the rainbow jersey.
"The pressure is still the same," Vila explained. "The jersey is always the reference in the race, but so is Peter. The main rivals know Peter, so it's basically the same without [the rainbow jersey].
"Not that much changes for 2019 without the rainbow jersey because he's already a big stars of cycling."
Sagan ended his 2018 season pulling out of the worlds in Innsbruck, where Alejandro Valverde (Movistar Team) took over the title. He began the 2019 season with a win in the Tour Down Under. He sprinted to the victory in stage three ahead of Luis León Sánchez (Team Astana).
He now races Argentina's western province, San Juan, at the Vuelta a San Juan. Currently, Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck - Quick-Step) leads the race.
"It's OK, I had a better start in the Tour Down Under but still we are just [beginning] so we will see in the next days what we can do," continued Sagan.
"I think for everyone it's just a preparation race but maybe for the countries from South America it's an important race.
"Also for us, but it's more for training and have some kilometres in good weather and the race rhythm."
Sagan returns to Europe with the Tirreno-Adriatico race that sits him up for the big Classics starting with Milan-San Remo.
"Tirreno-Adriatico and the rest of the Classics," he said. "And from there the real season starts."
The pressure will mount as Sagan nears Milan-San Remo on March 26. He aims to add that Monument to a collection that already includes the 2016 Tour of Flanders and the 2018 Paris-Roubaix.
This year, he is due to race through the classics until April 28, Liège-Bastogne-Liège, a race that typically suits riders like Alaphilippe. This year, the arrival changes with a flat finish into Liège's centre.
"Yeah we will see later because it is still far away," Sagan said of racing until Liège. "The goal? All the Classics are goals for me."
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
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
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.
-
-
I'd choose the club ride over going solo, any day
Cycling Weekly's Digital Editor refuses to share a point of view with one of our regular contributors
By Michelle Arthurs-Brennan Published
-
Back from bankruptcy, Mavic opens new facility in Vermont, teases new product
In addition to re-establishing sales in North America, the historic brand will release new wheels in the coming months
By Anne-Marije Rook 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
-
After a 'frustrating' 2022, Sam Bennett targets green at the Tour de France again
Irish Bora-Hansgrohe sprinter laments missed opportunities in 2022 due to injuries and illness, but will try again next year
By Adam Becket 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
-
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
-
Peter Sagan has day to forget at E-MTB Worlds, crashing twice
The Slovakian came off his bike and finished in 16th
By Tom Davidson Published
-
‘Lesson one, never give up’: Ski mountaineer turned cyclist Anton Palzer on stepping out of his comfort zone
A film released by Red Bull depicts the German rider's journey from ski champion to professional rider
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Vuelta a España 2022: Sam Bennett makes it two in a row with win on stage three
Bora-Hansgrohe's Irish rider outsprints Mads Pedersen and Dan McLay in Breda, Edoardo Affini in red
By Adam Becket Published
-
Peter Sagan set to compete in the electric mountain bike World Championships
TotalEnergies rider will compete in competition in Les Gets, France in late-August
By Tom Thewlis Published