Peter Sagan has lost the rainbow jersey, despite the feeling that he might just keep it forever.
After three years in the world champion’s stripes, the Slovakian will need a wardrobe change for the 2019 season.
But Sagan will not be making a debut appearance in the standard Bora-Hansgrohe kit, instead he has unveiled his new Slovakian national champion’s jersey.
The 28-year-old rode to a sixth national road race title in June, continuing his streak of avoiding the team kit.
>>>World champion Alejandro Valverde plans to race at Tokyo 2020 Olympics
Cycling Weekly reported earlier this year that the last time Sagan wore the (non-time trial) standard team jersey was the Tour de Suisse in 2011.
Riding that year for Liquigas-Cannondale, Sagan won stages three and eight, also claiming the points jersey – so he didn’t even stay in his standard issue kit past day three.
Sagan won his first national title a couple of weeks after that edition of the Tour de Suisse; the first of five consecutive victories in the race.
Both years that brother Juraj Sagan has held the National jersey – 2016 and 2017 – Peter has taken second and instead worn the rainbow stripes of UCI world champion – an honour that the 28-year-old clinched for the first time in 2015, again in 2016 and he currently wears the rainbow stripes from his 2017 win.
In this year’s 2018 Slovakian championship, Sagan rode 90km solo to finish two minutes ahead of his brother Juraj (Bora-Hansgrohe).
For 2019, Sagan has opted for a similar style to his previous world champs jerseys – mostly white with the Slovakian colours in bands across the abdomen.
Of course, the jersey comes with reminders of Sagan’s three World Championship wins on the sleeves and collar.
In a fitting tribute, Sagan handed over the world title to new champion Alejandro Valverde during the medal ceremony on Sunday.
Alex is the digital news editor for CyclingWeekly.com. After gaining experience in local newsrooms, national newspapers and in digital journalism, Alex found his calling in cycling, first as a reporter and now as news editor responsible for Cycling Weekly's online news output.
Since pro cycling first captured his heart during the 2010 Tour de France (specifically the Contador-Schleck battle) and joining CW in 2018, Alex has covered three Tours de France, multiple editions of the Tour of Britain, and the World Championships, while both writing and video presenting for Cycling Weekly. He also specialises in fitness writing, often throwing himself into the deep end to help readers improve their own power numbers.
Away from journalism, Alex is a national level time triallist, avid gamer, and can usually be found buried in an eclectic selection of books.
-
-
'Well, I'm getting off here': Miguel Ángel López's final moments with Movistar seen in snippet of latest documentary season
The Colombian responds to the release of the trailer, making light of the incident
-
Anti-sailing and knob-induced drag: Swiss Side delves into gravel tyre aerodynamics
Aero experts test Continental, Panaracer, Schwalbe, Vittoria and WTB tyres using its newest carbon gravel wheelset, the Gravon 420
-
Bora-Hansgrohe release new-look 2022 kit
A new look for the German team this coming season
-
Max Schachmann aims to target third Paris-Nice title in a row whilst maintaining late season form
The German national champion was almost gifted the win at Paris-Nice in 2021 after Primož Roglič crashed twice on final stage
-
'We want to be in tune with Peter Sagan to achieve great things together': Says TotalEnergies sports director on balancing Sagan and team identity
The French team are keen to keep their own characteristics while also allowing the Slovakian to do his thing
-
Peter Sagan says 'part of the beauty of cycling has been lost' following Covid-19 restrictions
The three-time world champion prepares to begin a new season with a new team
-
Peter Sagan confident ahead of TotalEnergies switch: 'We are going to build a team around me'
The Slovakian expressed his enthusiasm to race at the French-based, ProTeam level side
-
Nine of the most exciting pro cycling transfers for 2022
Some of the sports biggest names are on the move at the end of the year
-
'It's really big, it shows that I can perform on the top level': Matt Walls jubilant after Gran Piemonte victory
The British rider agreed that his track experience helped him in the hectic finale
-
Peter Sagan wants Niki Terpstra to continue at TotalEnergies rather than retire
The three-time world champion says he wants to talk to the two-time Monument winner if he wishes to continue riding
