Around the Benelux 2021
1. etapa (Surhuisterveen – Dokkum, 169.6 km):
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DOCUMENT. Slovak cyclist Peter Sagan has not had an ideal return to the competition carousel. In the initial stage of the race Around the Benelux fell 24 kilometers before the finish, and thus lost the chance to fight for a stage victory.
TV cameras then found him in the peloton, but later Sagan stepped out of him as well. He saved his strength and came to the finish line with a deficit of 2:20 minutes.
For the Slovak champion it was the first start since the Tour de France 2021. He did not finish the most famous races this time, the reason was the fall in the third stage after the collision with Caleb Ewan. He subsequently lost the Tokyo Olympics.
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In the flat stage, Sagan belonged to a wider circle of favorites on the podium. He has managed to do this six times already, winning four times. Of the current opponents, Belgian Tim Wellens has the same number of victories.
After the fall, the native of Žilina had a torn jersey and did not hide his indignation.
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In addition, 21-year-old Belgian Remco Evenepoel was angry. One of the greatest talents of the current peloton had mechanical problems 30 kilometers before the finish line and lost almost a minute to the winner of the stage.
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The team was home to Belgian Tim Merlier of Alpecin-Fenix. One of the main favorites dominated the sprint and put on a jersey for the leader of the overall classification.
It is interesting that Merlier also won the mentioned stage at the Tour de France, in which Sagan fell. He has a total of 17 professional victories.
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