Dog walker almost takes out Peter Sagan in Tirreno-Adriatico time trial

Peter Sagan started the final 10 km individual time trial on Stage 7 of Tirreno-Adriatico with two stage wins in his back pocket and two other top three placings in the week long Italian spring race. Wearing the red jersey as the leader of the points competition, Sagan started the time trial in 47th position overall.

Sagan was probably hoping for a quiet and short day in the saddle with the first major target of 2017, the season’s first monument Milan-Sanremo, on Saturday. However, an Italian dog walker changed all that.

Sagz pic.twitter.com/KLZPGaZxfg

— Bryan Duggan (@dugganbryan) March 14, 2017

Oblivious to the fast approaching Sagan, a dog and it’s walker strolled casually into a pedestrian crossing disrupting Sagan’s effort and forcing him to take evasive actions to avoid a high-speed collision. Luckily for the dog, it’s walker and Sagan, the world champion was up for the task and had his head up.

To avoid the walker, Sagan veered towards a gap in the raised curb and navigated the other spectators and pedestrians in the adjoining bike path that runs along the beach in San Benedetto del Tront where the stage was taking place.

I love dogs but please respect the safety of the riders! @TirrenAdriatico pic.twitter.com/RVzH7ECnQj

— Peter Sagan (@petosagan) March 14, 2017

Shortly after his effort Sagan took to Twitter saying, “I love dogs but please respect the safety of the riders!”