Peter Sagan heads to Utah for Tour de France altitude training

Following a stage win at the Tour of California, world champion Peter Sagan (BORA-Hansgrohe) has decided to stay in America to prepare for this year's Tour de France.

“I did not know what this course would be like because of my lack of rhythm, and because I had been training for a few days too. But I'm happy, I've have a stage win in my pocket," Sagan told Het Laatste Niuews. "I have the green jersey again, I am satisfied.”

After winning 15 stages in his previous seven visits to the sunshine state, Sagan may have been frustrated with only one win during this year’s edition. Breakaways spoiled the sprinters' party in two out of seven stages.

Sagan came up just short against the formative leadout train for Marcel Kittel (Quick Step Floors) during stage one in Sacramento, took the win into Morro Bay on stage three, but wound up sprinting for sixth place during stages four and seven that saw two five-man breakaways stick by 13 and 22 seconds respectively.

Watch: Peter Sagan sprints to victory in California

Prior to the Tour of California, Sagan spent a week training at elevation in Lake Tahoe with his teammate Michael Kolar and brother Juraj. Now he’s heading for the higher mountains of Utah.

“Peter has done more altitude training in the past in the United States, always with good results afterwards,” said Bora-Hansgrohe press officer Gabriele Uboldi.

“Peter will train for twelve days, also accompanied by his wife so he can prepare in peace for the second part of the season.

He hopes to continue his five-year green jersey streak at the 104th annual Tour de France, the world’s most prestigious stage race, starting July 1 in Düsseldorf, Germany.