Peter Sagan wants to win one more race in the rainbow jersey
Bora-Hansgrohe sports director says Sagan is motivated and trying for one last rainbow jersey win
The Peter Sagan rainbow run was due to end midway through the Vuelta a España, but the world champion has decided to continue the race with his Bora-Hansgrohe team in an attempt to net one more win.
Sagan's last victory in the rainbow jersey was at the Tour de France. He won three times in total, but only in the Roche-sur-Yon stage two was he not wearing the green points jersey.
Sagan aims to raise his arms one more time in the jersey, and is exhibiting improving form in the Vuelta. Only two more chances remain: stage 18's finish in Lleida and the final day to Madrid.
>>> When was the last time Peter Sagan wore a standard jersey?
"It will really be difficult because it's really the mountains race with metres of climbing, but Peter is motivated and is trying, so why not?" sports director Enrico Poitschke told Cycling Weekly.
"We missed the [early] stage wins already and we keep fighting for the victories. I think that he feels much better than in the beginning of the Vuelta but we know that Elia Viviani is also hard to beat.
"He wants to try to win one more time in the rainbow. "
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Sagan is using the mountainous Vuelta to prepare for the UCI World Championship road race in Innsbruck. He won the last three titles, but said that the Austrian climbing course was too ill suited to his strengths for a fourth title.
Still, he wants to be ready. His initial plan was to race in Spain until the second weekend, then return home for specific training. Instead, he will continue on in the race, partly as training and partly aiming for a stage win.
"In the beginning, we had a mind that he would stop the race and go home for worlds training," Poitschke added. "Now, he stays here because he feels good and he likes the stages, the sun and we are using the Vuelta as preparation here for the worlds."
"I'm trying to [finish] yes but there are still some really hard stages and I just hope I stay in the Vuelta," Sagan said ahead of a climbing stage 17 in the Basque country.
"Another win in the rainbow jersey? I think it was already the last time. I am trying from the start at the Vuelta but sometimes it's more difficult than we think," he said, less confident in his ability to meet the goal.
Sagan has also been helping team-mates Emanuel Buchmann, currently 11th overall, and Rafal Majka aiming for stage wins.
"I'm very happy to be here and proud of our team Bora-Hansgrohe, because they're doing a good job, but we are just missing some victories with Rafal Majka - we are still continuing and we still have a few stages left to try to do so."
"It's important for the team that we have a good tactic," Poitschke continued. "We also have Emanuel Buchmann here and he wants to finish in the top 10 so we are concentrated in this last week.
"Every time that Peter can help the team, he likes to do it so and he enjoys to work for the other guys."
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
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.
-
Tweets of the week: Pogačar can be beaten, Pidcock meets the royals, and Remco's an Arsenal fan
Sadly for Tadej Pogačar, serial winning doesn't seem to apply to go karting
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Friday roundup: Rapha does sportswear, Oakley meets PNS and Restrap makes a vest
Two new clothing lines, some hi-tech smart glasses and a hydration vest to inspire you to ride further
By Luke Friend 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
-
'You have to be open to everything' - Primož Roglič ahead of his Bora-Hansgrohe debut at Paris-Nice
Roglič up against Remco Evenepoel for the first time in 2024 as he gets set for a return to the Tour de France
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
-
Red Bull and Bora-Hansgrohe partnership given 'green light to go ahead'
The 'joint venture' between the energy drinks company and the German cycling team has been allowed by Austrian authorities
By Adam Becket Published
-
Sam, but different: Bora-Hansgrohe get 2024 off to a flier at Tour Down Under
Sam Welsford powered to victory on stage one in Tanunda to give his team the perfect start
By Adam Becket Published
-
More money, more viewers for the sport: What Red Bull’s Bora-Hansgrohe acquisition could mean
The Austrian energy drinks company looks set to acquire a controlling stake in German WorldTour team Bora-Hansgrohe. What will that do for professional cycling?
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Is Red Bull making a big move into pro cycling?
Austrian energy drinks brand is looking to acquire a controlling interest in Bora-Hansgrohe
By Adam Becket Published