Home > News

While the peloton suffers, Peter Sagan signs memorabilia on Pyrenees climb

The Tour de France green jersey takes the time to autograph a fan's book on the Tourmalet and he didn't even have to get out of the saddle

Stage 14 of the 2019 Tour de France featured the imposing ascent of the Tourmalet with it’s imposing 19 km at 7.4 per cent. While the stage profile didn’t suit a Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) victory, the adoring crowds got to spend more time with the flamboyant Slovakian on the slopes of the famed mountain pass. One lucky fan even managed to get the three-time world champions signature on a copy of Sagan’s book, My World. It’s not often you see a sports biggest star signing autographs mid-event.

Sagan went into the morning breakaway on Stage 14 to take more points in the green jersey competition which he leads comfortably. On the slopes of the Tourmalet, Sagan tried to conserve energy with another big mountain stage looming on Sunday.

Awaiting alongside of the road, a fan was prepared for Sagan hoping to catch a moment with the three-time world champion. Wearing a polka dot jersey, the spectactor brought Sagan’s book which was released last year and he had a pen at the ready. When Sagan appeared, he ran alongside the green jersey. Sagan agrees to sign the book and amazingly manages to do it while still in the saddle climbing the Hors Category Pyrennes climb.

Apart from his world beating palmares, this display goes a long way to explaining why the Slovakian is so popular amoung cycling fans. Sunday was a bit calmer for Sagan who rode in the grupetto while the GC favourites and breakaway specialists contest the stage in the Pyrennes from Limoux to Foix. Simon Yates won his second stage of the race while Alaphilippe conceded a bit of ground to his yellow jersey rivals.