Peter Sagan: 'I hope Chris Froome has enough energy left for Mont Ventoux'
World champion basks in the glory of a "nice stage" after Sky and Tinkoff combine for an unexpected win


The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Thank you for signing up to The Pick. You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
Peter Sagan (Tinkoff) paid tribute to Chris Froome and Team Sky after they combined in an astonishing final move on the wind-swept roads to Montpellier – but added that he hopes the attack did not cost Froome too much energy ahead of the ascent of Mont Ventoux on Thursday.
Sagan attacked with team-mate Maciej Bodnar at 12 kilometres out in the 162.5-kilometre stage through France's south. Froome joined, Sky team-mate Geraint Thomas followed, and the four rode clear of the stretch-out and stressed peloton behind.
At one point it looked as if Froome would attempt to beat Sagan to the stage victory, but in the end it was the world champion first, the yellow jersey second, and Bodnar in third.
"Froome did everything he could," Sagan said. "Thomas was dropped at 600 metres out. I thought that maybe Froome would not sprint. I led for Bodnar, I wanted him to win, but then Chris started sprinting and I had to go for the win."
Tomorrow sees one of this year's crucial stages, as the riders tackle the infamous Mont Ventoux.
"Froome made a big effort and spent a lot of energy," added Sagan. "I hope tomorrow that he has the energy because it's going to go fast on the climb, for sure.
"I can only say good luck to Froome."
>>> Stage to Mont Ventoux shortened due to high winds
The four-man breakaway gained 12 seconds with 10 kilometres to race and 21 with five kilometres. With the sprinters' teams working, it slipped to 14 at one kilometre out and six seconds at the finish line in a hot and blustery Montpellier.
Froome, with the six-second bonus for second place, ended with another 12 seconds on rivals such as Nairo Quintana (Movistar), Richie Porte (BMC Racing) and Adam Yates (Orica-BikeExchange). His advantage over the Colombian, his principal rival in this year's general classification, stands at 35 seconds.
"It just happened," Sagan said of the move. "It wasn't like it was planned or [Froome] came up to me and said, 'We are here, amigo.'
"I felt good today. For sure, it was not a boring stage. It was stressful from the start. Sky was all the time at the front, we were always at the front. It was always dangerous.
"This was a nice stage for the Tour de France, no? I've been in the yellow, green and won stages. It was a very good stage for me and I think it was also impressive for people in front of the TV."
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
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Gregor Brown is an experienced cycling journalist, based in Florence, Italy. He has covered races all over the world for over a decade - following the Giro, Tour de France, and every major race since 2006. His love of cycling began with freestyle and BMX, before the 1998 Tour de France led him to a deep appreciation of the road racing season.
-
-
Cycling keeps you fit but are you doing enough to stay healthy?
It’s possible to be very fit in one specific way, for example being fast on a bike, while being unhealthy in other ways
By Joe Laverick Published
-
Dr Hutch: Motor-doping isn't rife, there's no way cyclists would use it discreetly enough
Some fans think that motor-doping is rife, but Cycling Weekly's columnist Dr Hutch is having none of it
By Michael Hutchinson Published
-
'I thought I was more in the door than I was' - Luke Rowe bares all on Vuelta a España snub
Welshman will not race a Grand Tour this year after he missed out on selection by Ineos Grenadiers
By Tom Davidson Published
-
‘I hope I get a cow’ - Josh Tarling aiming for the top prize at World Championships
Welshman competing in elite men’s individual time trial on Friday afternoon
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'All being well I’ll still be racing next year' but 'it's coming to an end' - Geraint Thomas on Ineos Grenadiers future
'It's nice to be arriving at a Worlds in decent nick' says the Welshman ahead of individual time trial in Stirling
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Carlos Rodriguez credits BMX skills with Tour de France stage win
Ineos Grenadiers rider dedicates his victory to his parents
By Vern Pitt Published
-
Chris Froome 'absolutely not' worth multi-million euro salary says his team boss
The four-time Tour de France winner was not selected for this year's Tour de France for performance reasons, Israel-Premier Tech boss Sylvan Adams says
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
-
'We just have to keep trying': Ineos Grenadiers ready to attack at the Tour de France
'You never know' British team's DS Steve Cummings says anything is still possible at French Grand Tour
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Disappointed on stage one, pleased with stage two: Tom Pidcock gaining confidence at Tour de France
Ineos Grenadiers rider satisfied with performance on the road to San Sebastián after difficult opening stage
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Tom Pidcock: Beating the likes of Pogačar and Vingegaard to a Tour de France stage would be ‘a step up’
Ineos Grenadiers rider heads into second Tour aiming for general classification and stage wins
By Tom Thewlis Published