We were talking to Daniel Oss, just yesterday at the start of Het Nieuwsblad, when behind him came Sagan, fresh from another flurry of interviews.
“Beautiful,” the Trentino was saying, It's my first time entering the Ghent velodrome.With Liquigas, BMC and Bora, we were always out. In the first races up here there is always that first race anxiety. No matter how well the first few times went, this is the one where you draw the line. Which means everything and also nothing. Whether it goes well or badly, it makes little difference. But if it goes well, you leave with more moraleThe material is the same as last year, so reconnaissance isn't much use. We did one in France on the cobblestones of the Tour and some tests for the new tubeless tires, mainly for pressures."
Then Daniel turned and, seeing Peter, reprimanded him for always being in a hurry. Then, laughing, he disappeared towards the bus. It was half an hour before departure, so it was nice to be able to take everything in stride. Meanwhile Sagan looked aroundIn hindsight, we can say that the race didn't go so well. But having contracted Covid again and missed the second training camp, with only the Tour du Haut Var in his legs, it would have been unfair to expect moreOne thing is certain: Peter is extremely demanding of himself, he just can't stand defeats...
How are you?
Bene
You go back to your paths…
It's good to be here and remember the roads, because We run all over Belgium in these places.
What did you think of the presentation in front of such a large audience?
You spend those two minutes on stage (smiles, ed.), but that's not important to us.
Are you getting used to the new team?
It's a good group of peopleThe team works well. And having the right people around you is convenient; you get into the swing of things quickly.
What does it mean that it works well?
At Haut Var I saw that everything is professionally organized, at the same level as the WorldTourIt's a great group, it's a shame I haven't been able to spend much time with my teammates.
Was Covid hard this time?
Much better than the first time. I struggled a bit for three days and after about ten I was back in the saddle.But I was behind, so I went with my brother to Gran Canaria and we did our retreat.
The right people around you…
Oss, Bodnar, my brother. The mechanic and the masseur. The sporting director. The press officer (he says, winking at Gabriele Uboldi, ed.). It's easier to adapt. It takes years to build trust between each other. And it's nice to have a steady group of people around you, even when you change teams.They help you integrate into a new group.
Is it true that Quick Step didn't want you precisely because of the group?
Lefevere started talking about “Peter’s group.” But it's not my group, I don't own the people, I just want them around meI think it's important to have your own masseur and mechanic. Over the years, some people tried to change my position on the bike and every time it was stressfulI haven't touched it for seven years now, and this is a big step forward. And then the people in my group don't just work with me and for meThey do what the team asks of them. As it was at Bora, so it is at TotalEnergies.
But your protégé Martin Svrcek, who now rides for Biesse Carrera, will go to Quick Step.
I advised him to sign, for the classic hunter who can becomeI'm glad they caught him. When they first saw me, as a junior, they told me they'd follow me, and instead they disappeared. Maybe because My name was already Peter Sagan, but I wasn't Peter Sagan yet..
Are you always very demanding of yourself?
Who told you?
You don't seem like someone who settles for less...
It depends on the moment. To be fast, you have to do it like this...
How is the leg?
Good, I have to grow up. My real season will start from TirrenoAnd from there on, all the races will be important…
