He grabbed his head resignedly. He was sorry for the tactical mistake, after which he lost the chance to fight for another title.
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Photo: Kristof RAMON / AFP / Profimedia
Peter Sagan on the World Championship track in Belgium.
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Peter Sagan did not compete in Sunday’s race at the World Championships in Belgium.
At a key moment on the 270 km long track from Antwerp to Leuven, he did not catch the onset of opponents and finally finished in the third ten.
Julian Alaphilippe became the old-world world champion. The Frenchman triumphed after a successful individual escape and saddened the home fans, who were prepared for the success of the favored Wout van Aert.
Read more Sagan did not catch the decisive start. The victorious Alaphillipe is on his heels
Sagan drove the initial 200 km in a concentrated, excellent position and saved energy for crucial moments.
“She looks very determined. It is my secret tip for the winner, “said the legendary Philippe Gilbert about the Žilina man during the live broadcast.
During the ascent to Bekestraat, however, the decisive moment came, at which Slovak hopes also ended.
Alaphilippe ordered the attack, and only the strongest kept up with the French. Van Aert, Colbrelli, Mohorič and Štybar were not missing, but Sagan hesitated and let his opponents leave.
The group with topfavorites quickly increased their lead, caught up with Evenepoel’s escape and 50 km before the finish it was clear that the winner would emerge from the elite fifteen.
Sagan already knew he was hopeful. Television footage showed him clutching his head in frustration and resigning his pace resignedly.
“As expected, it was very fast and technical. It kept braking, adding. It was necessary to drive ahead and at that crucial moment it didn’t work out for me, “said Sagan in goal 26. cycling-info.sk.
Read more The show at the start. Sagan infuriated the crowds with his favorite parade
“I stayed in the second group and it didn’t go anymore. We went for a while with a small loss, we saw them in front of us, but every strong country had someone there and no one could compose to make it happen.
In our group, we just started and slowed down, which always means the end of chances. There was no cooperation. What were my legs like? It wasn’t about winning, “he admitted.
Finish in Leuven brought a show of one man. Twenty kilometers before the tape, Alaphilippe escaped again and his opponents did not find an answer to his attack.
He was chased by four of Valgren, Van Baarle, Stuyven, Powless, but the biggest stars, including Van Aert, fell behind and the Belgian fans were left with eyes to cry.
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The Frenchman showed great performance and a great desire to defend the title. He came to the finish line with a convincing lead and on the podium he dressed again in a rainbow jersey, which he also wore last year.
“This whole year is a big dream for me. I became a father, now I won the second title of champion. I was a little surprised that no one responded to my final attack. The last kilometers hurt, but I enjoyed them, “said Alaphilippe.
At next year’s championship in Australia, he can imitate Sagan, who won three titles in a row in 2015-2017. “It’s still a long way off. But if it is to happen, it will happen, “he added.
On Sunday evening, Sagan published a social media image of Alaphilipp on stage.
He attached a description in French, specifically the acclaimed word chapeau (hat or hat down) and marked the old-new champion.
This was followed by a flood of comments, especially from fans from the country from which his next year’s employer TotalEnergies is.
“A beautiful gesture to the champion from the champion. Peter, thank you for this report, “one of them wrote.
“Respect. I wish Peter a triumph at Sunday’s Paris – Roubaix, “added another. It is clear that the stellar Slovak is expanding the fan camp.
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