We are on the Vicenza hills on a natural terrace overlooking the Po Valley caressed by the rays of the autumn sunset. A few kilometers away the gravel world championship made his debut immersed in general curiosity. Let's see Peter Sagan who is talking to his best friend who surprised him by travelling 800 kilometres to follow him in this world championship race. Gabriele Uboldi, press officer of the Slovakian champion, comes to meet us and introduces the champion.
Sagan welcomes us with a smile and the lightheartedness of someone who knows that the season is over and that this world cup It has all the aura of a new experience. The first step of a discipline that diverts towards competitive sport and the professional stageLet's press record on the recorder. Peter, tell us…
How did you get to this World Cup?
Well… Well, I only tried the first 30 kilometers and only did the final 15 kilometers of the route. condition was good Even though we've been back from Japan for three days, between the time zone and everything else, it's not easy to recover from jet lag.
Is this your first gravel race?
I did the Unbound in America but there I had a different approachIt wasn't a race, but a ride among the people.
What kind of race is a gravel world championship?
It's a very tough race.
For the race you chose the racing bike, why?
Yes, the Roubaix. It's a fairly technical route. If you get a gravel bike, you can do more challenging MTB-like routes. But I... I think we need something very quick and smooth. The roads are straight, there's a lot of asphalt, so you have to watch your speed.
So are smoothness and speed crucial?
If you take as an example we race the Eroica with a normal bikeIf you start with that setup, and get a Roubaix bike with the same tires, it's well suited for this route.
Completely new running dynamics for gravel…
Yes, it's hard to say, because it's a whole new race. There are riders from all disciplines and there is no real team organization Just like in professional races. I think the start is very important, just like in mountain biking. It's equally important in these races to be in the first, second, or third group right from the start.
What were your favorites going into the event?
Always the same old ones. Van der Poel I knew he could do anything. Van Avermaet he told me he was going to bet a lot on it, he didn't make the road world championships and he turned it into an advantageThere are many road professionals, they were all favorites.
Do you see gravel riding in your future alongside a season on the road?
I believe that the gravel is even harder than a classicLike Roubaix or Flanders. I have the whole winter to decide how to plan the season.
You had a good season, what are your goals for next season?
I didn't have a very good season… This winter will be a precious opportunity to unplug and recharge.I don't know yet what I'll do and what my goals will be. At the first retreat, when I go with the team, I will talk about the program and we will see together how to organize the calendarI haven't thought about it yet.
How did this first year at TotalEnergies go?
I had a great time. Even with the health issues I had at the beginning of the year, they always supported me. I'm very happy with the team's organization by everyone, staff and teammates. I thought I'd find a different situation, but instead I was very positively surprised by the team and what's behind it.
How does it feel to see Nibali and Valverde say goodbye to the group? You even shared a period with Vincenzo on the team...
They will forever remain part of the movement. Vincenzo He is one of the few riders who has won the three Grand Tours and also the classics. We will miss him because he gave so much to cycling, especially to Italian cycling. Life is like that, you are born as a star, then everyone comes to their end.It's important that he made the decision. If so, that's more than fine.
Sagan's World Championship
The Belgian was crowned world champion Gianni Vermeersch after a 140 kilometre escape together with Daniel Oss second at the finish. Completing the podium Mathieu van der Poel who, as the super favorite, was outwitted by the breakaway, but he outpaced the chasing group, winning a bronze medal that earned him the honor of having tried.
For Sagan, the outcome, although positive, did not live up to expectations. Peter actually finished 14th, five minutes behind the leaderPraised among the big names until the eve of the match, the Slovakian champion perhaps felt the effects of jet lag from the last away matches of the season and the tiring end of a season that counts two victories. The good thing is that his presence attracted an audience and was honoured with commitment and a desire to get involved As evidenced by his dusty face, which we glimpsed after the finish line. Now it's time for Peter to recharge his batteries and think about 2023.
