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
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

Peter Sagan will head to Italy in early October to compete in the first ever edition of the UCI gravel World Championships.
The first two editions of the competition are scheduled to take place in Italy, with Sagan lining up on the start line at the first edition in Veneto, Northern Italy on 8-9 October 2022.
In 2023 the championships will return to Italy in a yet to be confirmed location.
The Slovakian told Cycling Weekly that he plans to compete in Italy in order to “give back to the people” that have supported him throughout his illustrious career including some of his sponsors Specialized, Sportful and 100% sunglasses.
He also explained that his current team Total Energies have recently enabled him to pursue opportunities in cycling not only focussing on the road.
He said: “I found out about the championship and yes, it’s a last minute decision but I want to go to it. It will be difficult to arrive in the best condition to win but it’s not important for me. I want to say thank you to the people who have supported me for so long and to give back to the fans what they want. That's what’s most important.”
Gravel is a huge market for one of Sagan's long term sponsors Specialized.
The 32-year-old recently competed at the electric mountain bike championships in Les Gets, France, an experience which he explained was important despite only placing 16th in the race and suffering two crashes.
“I enjoyed the atmosphere at the e-mtb race, it was fun to meet with the fans and go for the public. The result is important, yes, but to give back to the people too,” he said.
In a recent interview with Cycling News (opens in new tab) ahead of the elite men’s road race at the world championship on Sunday, Sagan joked that he would “win the world title and then quit the road” something which he reiterated was a comment purely for the humour in his typical style.
“No, no I would not quit at this moment. I was just joking of course! The numbers are still good, just other guys sometimes have better numbers. I still have much more to give in cycling,” he added.
Earlier this year in June, Sagan rode the Unbound gravel race in Kansas, United States. His TotalEnergies and long-time teammate Daniel Oss also competed in the 100 mile event.
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
Tom is a Digital News and Features Writer at Cycling Weekly.
Before joining the Cycling Weekly team, he worked at Oxford Brookes University, most recently in the Internal Communications team. An avid cycling follower with a keen interest in racing, his writing previously featured on Casquettes and Bidons.
-
-
'They come to my country and kill kids': UCI's decision to allow Russian riders at World Championships draws passionate reaction
There has been a mixed response to the UCI's decision to allow Russian and Belarusian riders the opportunity to return to the international stage.
By Chris Marshall-Bell • Published
-
'I’m just bloody happy to win': Tao Geoghegan Hart delighted at ending long wait without a win
Ineos Grenadiers rider celebrates his first victory since the 2020 Giro d'Italia
By Chris Marshall-Bell • 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
-
Team or Privateering? How to make a living as a gravel racer
How do you pay the bills as a gravel racer? Do you join a team or go it alone? Both directions have benefits and down sides.
By Emily Schaldach • Last updated
-
FNLD GRVL announces debut date, €20K pro prize purse
Debut FNLD GRVL gravel race to take place in Lahti, Finland on June 10, 2023
By Anne-Marije Rook • Published
-
Gianni Vermeersch wins men's Gravel World Championships
The Belgian earns his first ever rainbow stripes
By Chris Marshall-Bell • Published
-
Pauline Ferrand-Prévot wins inaugural women's Gravel World Championships
The Frenchwoman came good on her favourite tag to win gravel racing's first ever UCI-sanctioned World Championships
By Chris Marshall-Bell • Published
-
Meet the shop assistant set to race Mathieu van der Poel at the Gravel World Championships
“I’m very excited, but also petrified,” says Metheven Bond, who started racing just over a year ago
By Tom Davidson • Last updated
-
How to watch the 2022 UCI Gravel World Championships: Live stream the events in Italy
Here's how to catch all of the action over the weekend
By Adam Becket • Published