Selfies, Autographs, Wheelies and a Little Pastry...

He posed for countless photos. Again and again. He signed jerseys, bidons and helmets. Warmly and cheerfully. Sometimes exchanging a few words, other times cracking a joke. This was the man who, as the only rider in history, won the Road World Championship title three years in a row and claimed the Tour de France points classification seven times. Peter Sagan spent two days in the Czech Republic ahead of the second weekend of May. And he thoroughly enjoyed returning to places he knows so well in his new role as ambassador for Škoda We Love Cycling and the Hilly L'Etape Czech Republic by Tour de France.

“I enjoy it. I really do. I’m meeting new people and discovering new places. I think it’s a brilliant way to promote cycling,” he reflected on Thursday morning as he pulled on a Škoda We Love Cycling jersey specially produced for the seven-time green jersey winner, allowing space for the personal sponsors of the Slovak cycling phenomenon.

Already on Wednesday, he had attended a press conference announcing his participation in the Hilly L'Etape Czech Republic by Tour de France, which takes place on 20 June in Prague and the Central Bohemian Region. Afterwards, he gave several interviews, enjoyed a short walk through Prague and later attended a dinner with partners, sponsors and ambassadors of L'Etape Czech Republic by Tour de France.

“It’s an honour to have someone in the peloton who won seven green jerseys at the Tour. It’s a perfect match. For Czech cyclists, Peter Sagan’s participation is something truly special. I believe not only the riders but also the fans along the route will be thrilled,” said Jiří Maláček, Head of Škoda Auto Czech Republic.

On Thursday morning, Peter Sagan rode part of the course he will race on the third Saturday of June alongside enthusiastic amateur cyclists. “Hey, you’re here too,” Sagan greeted Martin Hačecký, former rider and now Eurosport television commentator. The two had shared their early cycling years in Italy before entering professional racing.

“What I remember most fondly is the period before I signed with Liquigas, and then my first seasons in the professional peloton. I made many friends during my time in Italy,” said the Slovak speedster, who also boasts victories at Monuments such as Paris–Roubaix and the Tour of Flanders.

“Back then, as a nineteen-year-old kid in Italy, people were constantly telling me what to do. Don’t do this, don’t do that, don’t eat so much. But I was always my own person. And if there was one thing I definitely wasn’t planning on doing, it was starving. So even when they told me to leave half the pasta on the plate, I still ate the portion I wanted. I never let myself be tied down by rules,” he laughed while enjoying his morning espresso before the ride on Czech roads. “And we’ve even got a little pastry,” he added happily while helping himself to the refreshments, proving that neither as a young junior nor now as a three-time world champion had he ever overthought food too much.

“I won’t be sprinting, so don’t expect that,” he smiled before setting off on the ride from Dolní Břežany. Along the route, he chatted with cyclists from among the partners and sponsors. At the finish, he handed out smiles during photo sessions and autograph signings. He even showed off a wheelie — the trademark trick he used to perform for fans during races while climbing Alpine giants in the gruppetto.

“I don’t need to ride the entire L'Etape route in advance. I didn’t even do that for Tour de France stages,” the relaxed Slovak rider laughed after completing the 30-kilometre loop in Dolní Břežany and getting a taste of the profile awaiting him on 20 June. “Thankfully you don’t have Alpe d’Huez here. And I should survive the rest,” he winked conspiratorially at the participants, who proudly savoured their morning alongside the man who changed cycling.

And yet he has remained himself. Despite seven green jerseys, making him a Tour de France record-holder. Despite three consecutive world titles in the elite road race, something nobody else has ever achieved. Despite collecting 121 professional victories. He still remains the same guy from Žilina. Well, almost literally...

“So where are you actually based these days?” one of his riding companions asked before Sagan headed off to see his family.

“Well, basically everywhere. I live in Monaco, but from the Czech Republic I’m heading to Slovakia, then to France to pick up my son Marlon, and together we’ll travel by campervan to Italy. I’ve got no problem sitting in the camper cooking for everyone while they’re out riding the trails around Finale Ligure. I still enjoy riding myself, but I no longer need to spend endless hours on the bike like during my professional career, which I’m fully enjoying now,” shrugged the ambassador for Škoda We Love Cycling and the Hilly L'Etape Czech Republic by Tour de France.

“Having Peter Sagan in this role is a dream come true for us. When we first organised L'Etape in 2021, he was still racing professionally and we never imagined that one day he’d be riding in our peloton alongside amateur cyclists. His name resonates far beyond the Czech Republic. He’s a phenomenon who breaks the internet. His involvement is a huge boost for the entire series,” said Přemysl Novák, head of L'Etape Czech Republic, while listing the achievements of the Slovak cycling superstar.

And Peter Sagan’s response?

“Boss, there was a mistake in that list of achievements. I didn’t win the Tour of California twice — only once,” laughed the three-time world champion, alongside whom you can ride on 20 June at the Hilly L'Etape Czech Republic by Tour de France.