The Slovak did it again
Peter Sagan became the first male rider to win three consecutive World titles and matched the record of three victories held by three other cyclists. He managed to beat Alexander Kristoff by half a front wheel and robbed him of a dream victory on his home soil. Michael Matthews finished third.
“In the end, it came to a sprint and it was unbelievable. Kristoff is racing at home, and I’m sorry for that, but I’m happy to win again. It’s unbelievable for me. It’s something special for sure. It doesn’t change anything, but for me it’s something very nice,” Sagan said after the race.
The route was 267.5 kilometres long and the Slovak was basically invisible for most of the day. In the end, though, he was in the right spot at the right time.
“I want to dedicate this victory, or this third World Championship title, to Michele Scarponi who should have had a birthday tomorrow,” Sagan reminded us of the April tragedy when the Astana rider died after being hit by a truck.
Chantal Blaak won the Women Elite road race after an amazing solo attack 8 kilometres before the finish line. Katrin Garfoot from Australia took second place and the bronze went to the last year’s world champ Amalie Didriksen.
“I could no believe it when I crashed, I had to wait a while and I thought the ride was over. It was not the plan that I should win, but that I would work best for the team. I was so happy to be national champion and now I have the rainbow shirt,” said Blaak.
