03/07/2012

PETER SAGAN CAPTIVATES THE TOUR DE FRANCE. The Slovak doubles his tally

Yet another show of class and power from the Liquigas-Cannondale champion



Peter Sagan’s wins are becoming his unmistakable trademark: an explosive power that not many can match, innate class, great tactical awareness, an instinct for victory and a touch of madness in his celebrations.



Liquigas-Cannondale’s Slovakian champion has stamped his mark on the Tour de France for the second time in four stages. Thanks to a prodigious attack on the final climb, Sagan distanced Boasson Hagen and Peter Velits to win today’s Orchies-Boulogne sur Mer (197 km) stage.



«It was a difficult stage with the sort of finale that could only be won if you had “good” legs. » Sagan explained «I’m very, very happy about this win. No victory is easy and if I win, it’s also because of my teammates. It’s an honour to know that champions like Basso and Nibali are working for me; it’s something that gives you massive drive. We’d planned the final attack in this morning’s meeting, even though I didn’t know what the climb would really be like. It was important to get the timing right and even more important to have enough energy. This second win is incredible because I came to France hoping to win one stage and I’ve already doubled that in four days. I’m really satisfied and it’s an incentive to believe in the dream of wearing the green jersey to Paris. A third win? I always try to win and I’ll have another go if I get the chance. »



One final comment about his celebration, «The other evening my teammates and I decided that if I won again, I’d do it like Forrest Gump: when they told him to run, he ran; when they tell me to win, I win. I like doing something that makes people smile. When I watch sport on the TV, I’ve always liked it when someone adds a touch of fun to their victories, like Valentino Rossi does. Now that I’m winning, I try to do the same thing. »



Today’s win (15th of the season for Sagan and 30th for Liquigas-Cannondale) has enabled the Slovakian to strengthen his leadership in the points classifications: 116 points to Cancellara’s 74 and Cavendish’s 73.



But it’s not all good news for Liquigas-Cannondale as Dominik Nerz and Daniel Oss both crashed today. Both guys have badly bruised right knees and multiple grazes, and Nerz also has a very sore left malleolus. Dr. Emilio Magni, the team’s doctor, will monitor their conditions constantly in case they require x-rays.