Peter Sagan switches to Paris-Nice as Jumbo-Visma withdraw from race
Bora-Hansgrohe committed to racing the French stage race as other squads have pulled out
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

Peter Sagan will still be racing this weekend, as he has switched to Paris-Nice after a number of races were cancelled because of coronavirus.
Meanwhile, Jumbo-Visma have now announced they have pulled out of Paris-Nice on advice of their medical staff.
Former three-time world champion Sagan was scheduled to race Strade Bianche, before the Italian one-day race was postponed because of the spread of the Covid-19 virus.
Sagan was due to make his season debut in Siena, then take on Italian stage race Tirreno-Adriatico, and race the first Monument of the year, Milan-San Remo.
But the spread of the virus through Italy has upended the cycling calendar, as Strade Bianche, Tirreno and San Remo have all been postponed.
While a number of teams have opted not to race in March, Sagan’s Bora-Hansgrohe squad have committed to competing in the races that are still running.
The team said: “We trust the health authorities of the individual countries and will act according to their guidelines.
“Thus, we assume there is no elevated risk for our riders or staff competing in the upcoming races. We are evaluating this changeable situation as it progresses.”
Sagan has now been added to the Bora squad for Paris-Nice, which runs from March 8 to 15, where he will race alongside German sprinter Pascal Ackermann.
Bora will also be fielding a team in Belgian one-day race Grote prijs Jean-Pierre Monseré on Sunday, with Daniel Oss and Marcus Burghardt set to race there.
Meanwhile, Dutch WorldTour squad Jumbo have also pulled out of Paris-Nice after withdrawing from a number of Italian races.
Team manager Richarde Plugge said: "This hurts and is disappointing.
"But this is the best decision we can make now. As management, we have the responsibility to weigh all risks carefully. They are now too large."
Sagan is expected to return to his Classics campaign on March 27 at the E3 BinckBank, then heading to Ghent-Wevelgem two days later.
>>> Cycling and coronavirus: Everything you need to know
He is also expected to race Dwars door Vlaanderen in April, as he builds up to the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix.
Sagan will also be racing the Giro d’Italia for the first time in his career, before heading back to the Tour de France in the summer.
Thank you for reading 10 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
Alex Ballinger is editor of BikeBiz magazine, the leading publication for the UK cycle industry, and is the former 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, then as news editor responsible for Cycling Weekly's online news output, and now as the editor of BikeBiz. Since pro cycling first captured his heart during the 2010 Tour de France (specifically the Contador-Schleck battle) Alex 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 the desk, Alex can be found racing time trials, riding BMX and mountain bikes, or exploring off-road on his gravel bike. He’s also an avid gamer, and can usually be found buried in an eclectic selection of books.
-
-
20 year-old sprints to clean sweep at British Track Champs
Emma Finucane wins two titles on the closing day of the championships
By Vern Pitt • Published
-
Marius Mayrhofer pulls off surprise win at Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race
DSM rider breaks down with emotion after he crosses the finish line
By Stephen Puddicombe • 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
-
From the World Championships to Paris-Roubaix: Cycling Weekly's wins of 2022
It is hard to look past Annemiek van Vleuten, but we tried, so here is the best win of the year, plus nine more
By Adam Becket • 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