Peter Sagan has already mathematically won the Tour de France green jersey with five stages still to go
Three-time world champion only has to finish in Paris after wrapping up points classification midway through stage 16
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

There may still be five stages remaining at the 2018 Tour de France, but Peter Sagan already holds an unassailable lead in the points classification and only needs to cross the line in Paris to win his sixth green jersey.
At the start of stage 16 Sagan had picked up 452 points at intermediate sprints and stage finishes, 282 points more than his nearest rival Alexander Kristoff on 170 points.
After the rest day in Carcassonne on Monday, there were 290 points remaining to be won on the road to Paris, 190 points at stage finishes and 100 points at the intermediate sprints.
That meant that in order to win the green jersey Kristoff not only had to win all six of the remaining stages - including the three mountain stages and the time trial - and hope that Sagan couldn't even manage a seventh place at an intermediate sprint along the way.
>>> Should the Tour de France points competition be changed to stop Peter Sagan's dominance?
Unfortunately for Kristoff, that unlikely turn of events did not come to pass and came crashing down at the first hurdle as the European champion didn't make it into the day's break on stage 16 with the points a the day's intermediate sprint picked up by Christophe Laporte.
With those points swept up and Sagan still leading the points classification by 282 points with 270 points still remaining to be won in the race, the Slovakian will now keep the green jersey all the way to Paris where he will stand on the podium so long as he stays upright and out of trouble.
Providing he finishes in Paris, Sagan will match Erik Zabel's record of six Tour de France green jerseys which the German won over six consecutive years between 1996 and 2001.
Sagan had the chance to win his six green jerseys in six consecutive years in 2017, but found his challenge ended with disqualification from the race following a clash with Mark Cavendish on stage four.
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
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.
-
-
Tailfin Top Tube Pack review - the all new range has been a resounding success
if you're fussy about details, this could one for you
By Stefan Abram • Published
-
Shimano issues stop riding and recall notice on Pro Vibe alloy stems
Company says cracks can form in Vibe Stems purchased since May 2020
By Adam Becket • 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
-
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
-
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
-
Van der Poel not targeting green jersey at Tour de France
Jasper Philipsen will be the main sprinter at Alpecin-Fenix
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
'It's nice to be back': Peter Sagan downplays his first WorldTour win in over a year
Slovakian takes his maiden win for TotalEnergies, his first in ninth month, but his 18th Tour de Suisse stage
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Peter Sagan unlikely to ride Paris-Roubaix after illness
Former winner also missed Tour of Flanders after health problems
By Adam Becket • Published