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Peter Sagan takes historic third consecutive world championship title

Slovakian out sprints home favourite Alexandre Kristoff in photo finish

Peter Sagan
September 24, 2017
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Peter Sagan

Peter Sagan took a historic third world title in Bergen becoming the first rider in history to seal three consecutive championship road titles in the elite men’s category. The Slovakian won his first rainbow jersey solo in Richmond, Virginia. He then defended it in a bunch sprint Doha,Qatar and he completed the triple in 2017 winning in Bergen, Norway. Alexandre Kristoff (Norway) lead the sprint out with Sagan narrowly coming around the home favourite. Michael Matthews (Australia) took third place.

https://twitter.com/CyclingHubTV/status/911964292949450752

How it played out over 257 km

The days original breakaway was composed of 10 riders from minor countries. The move formed soon after the 267 km race got underway in Rong. Ahead was a 40 km run in to Bergen where they would hit the circuit for 11 laps. On the circuit, the breakaway was reeled in.

A dangerous move goes off the front

At 69 km to go, Tim Wellens (Belgium) attacked after Marco Haller (Austria) who had gone up the road. Alessandro de Marchi (Italy), Lars Boom (Netherlands), David de la Cruz (Spain), Jack Haig (Australia), Jarlinson Pantano (Colombia) and Odd Christian Eiking (Norway) made it across.

It was a dangerous move that quickly got 30 seconds which went to out to 42 seconds. The move forced Poland and France to get to work. Nils Politt (Germany) took off in pursuit but with two laps to go he was brought back as the eight riders up ahead continued to work well together.

The peloton crossed the line with two laps to go at 35 seconds. France continued to drive the pace in the bunch as Great Britain also moved up.

The races comes back together

At 32 km to go, Tom Dumoulin put in a dig with Diego Ulissi in tow. Warren Barguil was the next to move to the front to drive the pace. At the base of Salmon Hill, the gap to the lead eight riders was dropping. Wellens put in a dig as riders in the peloton moved across the road anticipating a move.

Giro winner Dumoulin jumped on Salmon Hill which prompted a reaction from the peloton and suddenly the race was strung out. Wellens, de la Cruz, Haig and Eikin continued to forge ahead with 29 km to go. They only lasted a couple more kilometres and with 26 km left to race they were brought back.

Oliver Naesen (Belgium) prompted five riders to move off the front shortly after but as the race approached the line for the final time it was all together.

Explosive finale

The peloton drove full speed towards the base of Salmon Hill each team doing what it could to place their riders towards the front. The 1.4 km hill averages 6.4 percent.

Sebastian Langeveld (Netherlands) and Paul Martens (Germany) started the hostilities. They had six seconds after taking off on a small rise. In the peloton, defending champion Peter Sagan (Slovakia) moved up as Tony Gallopin (France) went clear after the two riders were brought back but the Italians were weary to let anything go.

Gallopin was back in the peloton as they cornered onto Salmon Hill for the final time. Big attacks started right off the bat. Michal Valgren (Denmark) went with Niki Terpstra (Netherlands) in tow. Next it was Julian Alaphilippe (France) and Philippe Gilbert (Belgium) was there but couldn’t close the gap.

Gianni Moscon (Italy) was the only rider able to make it across to Alaphilippe and with 10 km to go, the two young riders had a good gap as the forged ahead to the finish. Favourites like Sagan, Greg Van Avermaet and Michael Mattews (Australia) chose to wait for a sprint.

Alaphilippe and Moscon were totally committed. Two riders attacked from what remained of the peloton. Vasil Kirinyenka (Belarus) and Lukas Pöstlberger (Austria) were in pursuit. Alaphilippe put in another effort becoming the lone leader of the race.

An organized chase led by Norway pulled a larger group with Alexandre Kristoff (Norway), Matthews and Sagan which brought the race back together for a sprint finish.

https://twitter.com/CyclingHubTV/status/911963780665544704

Kristoff opened the sprint up early. The Norwegian looked strong but Sagan accelerated and came by Kristoff who held on for second. Matthews faded to third place.

“He is racing at home. I am sorry but I am very happy to win again, it’s unbelievable,” Sagan said about his third rainbow jersey.

https://twitter.com/CyclingHubTV/status/911971074056781824

Asked of the wins significance, Sagan said, “It’s something special for sure. It doesn’t change anything but for me it’s very nice.”

He continued, “I want to dedicate this third world championship title to Michael Scarponi. Second I want to delicate this victory to my wife. We are expecting a baby. It’s a very nice finish to the season. I am very happy.”

Elite men world championship road race results

1. Peter Sagan (Slovakia) 6:28:11
2. Alexandre Kristoff (Norway) ”
3. Michael Matthews (Australia) ”
4. Matteo Trentin (Italy) ”
5. Ben Swift (Great Britain) ”
36. Guillaume Boivin (Canada) 1:20
82. Hugo Houle (Canada) 3:13
121. Antoine Duchesne (Canada) 10:21