Peter Sagan: I’m Looking Forward to the Atmosphere of the Czech L'Etape

He recalled childhood trips to Prague, watching cycling stars from the turn of the millennium in Wenceslas Square, and even competing himself at Pražské schody. At the same time, he was already making plans for a return to racing in the green jersey he will wear on 20 June in Prague. Peter Sagan, seven-time winner of the Tour de France points classification, will appear before the Czech public as an ambassador for Škoda We Love Cycling and the Hilly L'Etape Czech Republic by Tour de France.

“I’d probably be better suited as an ambassador for the flat L'Etape rather than the hilly one,” joked the 36-year-old former professional rider, referring to the fact that the Czech Republic will host its first-ever Flat L'Etape on 3 October as part of the project. Flat stages were traditionally the speciality of the Žilina-born rider, who celebrated the green jersey seven times on the Champs-Élysées at the world’s most famous stage race. “It could have been eight, but there was that incident back then. Never mind, we won’t talk about that,” smiled the three-time world champion, recalling his disqualification after a collision with Mark Cavendish in 2017.

You arrived in Prague as an ambassador for Škoda We Love Cycling and the Hilly L'Etape Czech Republic. Does Peter Sagan have a special connection with the Czech capital?

I really like Prague. My mum used to bring us here on holiday when we were children. We’d always travel by train from Žilina and then spend time exploring the city’s landmarks. The Astronomical Clock, Wenceslas Square… I also experienced a cycling criterium here as a spectator, where Lance Armstrong and Jan Ullrich, Tour de France winners, competed. In my eyes, Prague is a true metropolis full of history. There are so many tourists here that I can remain relatively anonymous. I really enjoy it here. Whenever I’m in Prague, whether privately or for work, I love walking through the historic city centre.

You mentioned the anonymity Prague offers you. So, two years after retiring, has nothing changed back home in Slovakia? You still can’t go out in public without immediately being surrounded by fans?

I still live permanently in Monaco, which probably says it all. I only travel to Slovakia for work events or personal obligations.

In 2008, you also raced in the very heart of Prague when you competed in Pražské schody, part of the Kolo pro život series…

I remember it very well. I was the junior mountain bike world champion at the time. In my eyes, it was a major race. As a kid just starting out in cycling, I saw Pražské schody as an extraordinary event. Radim Kořínek, Miguel Martinez, José Hermida, Thomas Frischknecht and other cycling stars competed there regularly. It was brilliant to be able to race it myself. It started raining during the event. I remember nearly crashing on the descent over the steps because my front wheel slipped. Or how I had to run up two stair sections carrying the bike while it rattled so violently it almost flew out of my hands.

How does Peter Sagan view the L'Etape by Tour de France series, having already served as ambassador for the Dubai edition in January?

It’s a really great project and I’m happy to be involved. In Dubai, the atmosphere felt very similar to the Tour de France. But everywhere I go, people tell me Prague will be an even bigger experience. I’m really looking forward to the Hilly stage in Prague because everyone around me says the Czech L'Etape is exceptional in this regard. For amateur cyclists, it’s fantastic to experience an atmosphere similar to the actual Tour de France, whether that’s the spectator zones or even the event village like at the Tour. Overall, it’s a brilliant concept that supports the growth of cycling.

What do you see as the biggest benefit of L'Etape for amateur cyclists?

I think the closed roads are a huge factor. And then there are the spectators. The Tour de France is made by the fans along the roadside. If amateur cyclists of all ages can experience an atmosphere similar to the Tour de France, it becomes something truly special.

What ambitions does Peter Sagan bring to the start line of events like L'Etape?

I definitely never go to the start with the ambition of winning. Prague will be no exception. I’m coming to enjoy the Hilly stage together with the people. I’ll definitely be available for all sorts of questions. People ask me about nutrition, training, ways to improve. I’m open to all of that. I just try to avoid requests for selfies while riding. I always prioritise everyone’s safety during the race. That’s absolutely my number one concern.

When you take part in amateur races, do people usually admire you, or do some try to challenge you to a sprint?

Sometimes people try to provoke me into sprinting. But as I said, I always emphasise safety. Recently I made one exception. Before the Tour of Flanders there was an event through the MyWhoosh app involving a 100-metre sprint. I managed to win by perhaps a hundredth of a second. The following day there was a real group ride, and the guy who lost the day before came over asking if we could do a proper sprint. I won again, but I used so much energy that afterwards I could barely crawl back to the hotel. That’s one reason why I avoid those kinds of challenges…

Apart from events like L'Etape, what fills your time after retirement?

I’m enjoying life, although it still revolves around cycling. I’ve simply stepped away from the professional peloton. Sometimes I actually feel busier than during my active career. The only difference is that I no longer have to spend six hours a day on the bike. But I still try to stay active. I go mountain biking, hit the gym, head out into nature for hikes… My schedule is pretty full.

Do you ever miss the peloton? Do you ever feel you retired too early?

When I was young, my mum used to say that once I started working, there would come a time when I’d want to go back to school. If I apply that to cycling, I know for certain that I wouldn’t want to return. I’m satisfied with the career I had. I announced my retirement from the professional peloton twelve months in advance. I knew I’d had enough of cycling. And I have no doubt it was the right decision. I’m completely sure about that.

You won Škoda Auto’s points classification seven times. Which green jersey means the most to you?

Definitely the first one in 2012. I won three stages, claimed the overall green jersey, and received a Porsche from the president of the Liquigas team after a bet we made. I went into that race full of determination while also not knowing what to expect. I had no idea how huge the race really was or how much media attention the Tour attracted. Winning the points classification gave me confidence. I was young, but it convinced me I could win. Some later editions of the Tour de France were better, others worse.

Yet you still remained the king of the green jersey. When did you first start thinking about breaking Erik Zabel’s record of six points classification victories?

Only after winning my fourth green jersey. Then I thought I might actually be able to make the record my own. My advantage was versatility. I could get into breakaways in hilly stages and collect points at intermediate sprints. At the same time, I could win tougher stages that weren’t designed purely for sprinters. And of course, I could also win bunch sprints. Compared to riders like Kittel, Cavendish or Greipel, they mainly won sprint stages, while I made up the points difference in the mountain stages. Versatility was the key to my success. Twice I went through an entire Tour de France without winning a single stage, yet I still wore the green jersey in Paris.

Following the success of the L'Etape project, the Czech Republic has begun discussing the possibility of hosting a Grand Départ of the Tour de France. Do you like the idea of Prague becoming the first post-communist country to host the opening stages of the battle for the maillot jaune?

I think the idea of a Grand Départ in Prague makes perfect sense. Especially because Škoda Auto has been a long-time sponsor of the Tour de France. It would be fantastic if the race could start in the Czech Republic sometime in the future.