Peter Sagan’s run of second places has been a running joke on social media, even for the man himself. But after adding another runner’s up spot to his palmarès on Friday at E3 Harelbeke, he was able to raise his arms in victory for the first time in the world champion’s jersey at Sunday’s Gent-Wevelgem.
The victory came at a challenging time for the Slovakian, whose father-in-law fell ill over the weekend. “I want to dedicate this victory to the father of my love because yesterday he had a hard time and I am very happy to dedicate this victory to him,” he said in his post-press conference. “I’m happy that I won in this jersey, it’s also an important race for me. It’s the second time I’ve won it.
“It was very hard and I want to thank my teammates. In the first bit, they missed a little bit but then they came back and then we could play with the group like in other teams.”
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When reporters tried to ask if it meant more because of the second places (73 in total), Sagan hit back saying that victory was not his driving force in cycling.
“In life, there are more important things than victories, second places, or whatever. I’m riding for passion, not ambition,” he said simply. “I’m very happy and I think if you are always there, some day you also have to feel good. That is important to feel good and not think a lot about bad things.”
Sagan initiated the key break near the top of the second ascent of the Kemmelberg – the tougher of the two times they tackled it. He took to the front just as they approached the top, making a small gap between himself and the select group of favourites. Only two could follow the world champion, Fabian Cancellara and Sep Vanmarcke. A group of chasers tried to pull them back, but it was too late it would be down to these three and the lone leader Viacheslav Kuznetsov (Katusha) for the victory.
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