Peter Sagan reveals his opening race for the 2018 season
Three-time world champion to start the year at the Tour Down Under
As he did at the start of this year, Peter Sagan has revealed that he will begin his 2018 season with a trip to South Australia for the Tour Down Under.
The Bora-Hansgrohe rider returned to the race this year for the first time since 2010, and although he didn't manage to pick up a victory, certainly seems to have enjoyed his experience.
"I’m excited to be starting the 2018 season with the rainbow stripes across my back again in Australia at the Santos Tour Down Under," Sagan told the Adelaide Advertiser.
"It is the perfect start to the UCI WorldTour season each year, it has it all — a challenging and tough course, warm weather and the passionate fans that cheer for us day in day out no matter what."
The Slovakian will once again head to Australia in the rainbow jersey, having won the World Championships for a third successive time in Bergen in September, most likely also including a period of training around the race in the southern hemisphere summer, as he did in 2017.
With home favourite Caleb Ewan in scintillating form, Sagan was unable to win a stage in this year's race, three times finishing as runner up as the diminutive Australian sprinter picked up four stage wins.
Ewan's sprint victories combined with Richie Porte's overall victory meant a second successive Tour Down Under with Australians winning every stage and the leader's ochre jersey.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
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
Henry Robertshaw began his time at Cycling Weekly working with the tech team, writing reviews, buying guides and appearing in videos advising on how to dress for the seasons. He later moved over to the news team, where his work focused on the professional peloton as well as legislation and provision for cycling. He's since moved his career in a new direction, with a role at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
-
Forget distance covered, these are the key stats to note in your Strava Year in Sport
We asked a coach how to best analyse our end of year Strava data
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'She should show a bit more respect' - Lotte Kopecky responds to Demi Vollering comments
The pair seemingly had one last fractious year together at SD Worx-Protime in 2024
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Peter Sagan finishes second in last ever professional race
Former three time road world champion was the runner up in the Slovakian national MTB championships on Sunday
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'It's a miracle': The inside story of how Peter Sagan ended up on a team called Pierre Baguette
Six years after the dream first took root, Boris Horváth finally has Peter Sagan on his team
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Peter Sagan confident of return to bike in 15 days after latest heart procedure
Sagan recently underwent second operation in Italy to tackle heart rhythm related issues
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
-
French pro cyclist suffering with memory loss after Tour Down Under crash
‘I have no memory of the crash’ says Rudy Molard of Groupama FDJ after incident in Australia
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'I don't know if I'll be at this team or in cycling next year': Julian Alaphilippe on the Giro d'Italia, finding his form, and his relationship with Patrick Lefevere
Frenchman will focus on the Classics and then the Giro d'Italia in his contract year at Quick-Step
By Adam Becket Published
-
There is so much hope for British cycling, despite the domestic scene’s troubles
Stevie Williams’ victory at the Tour Down Under was just the latest breakthrough ride by a Briton, although there might not be a home UCI stage race to perform at soon
By Adam Becket Published