Milano-Sanremo 2021

It was a bittersweet Milano Sanremo for me. On the one hand, I’m happy because I’m feeling better and my form is gradually improving, although there is still work to be done to reach a top level. On the other hand, I’m a bit angry because it was another Milano-Sanremo where I missed the chance to get a victory. We worked very well throughout the day, everybody in the team put in a great effort. When the attack was made on the Poggio, a small group went away and I was in the one right behind, together with other strong riders. We didn’t respond to the attack, either because we couldn’t or because we felt we would bridge the gap on the descent. In fact, the two front groups merged and it was clear we would go for a fast sprint finish. I gave my best in the sprint and finished fourth.

Bolo to pre mňa také trpko-príjemné Miláno-Sanremo. Na jednej strane som šťastný, pretože sa cítim lepšie a moja forma sa postupne zlepšuje. Stále je však ešte potrebné pracovať na dosiahnutí najvyššej úrovne. Keď to vezmeme z druhej strany, som trochu nahnevaný, pretože to bolo ďalšie Miláno – Sanremo, kde som premeškal šancu na víťazstvo. Celý deň sme pracovali veľmi dobre a všetci v tíme vyvinuli veľké úsilie. Keď došlo k útoku na Poggiu, malá skupina odišla a ja som zostal v tej za ňou, spolu s ďalšími silnými jazdcami. Na útok sme nereagovali aj preto, že sme nemohli, ale aj preto, že sme cítili, že prekonáme tento malý náskok v zjazde. V skutočnosti sa obe predné skupiny spojili a bolo jasné, že pôjdeme do rýchleho špurterského záveru. V samotnom špurte som dal zo seba maximum a skončil som štvrtý.
Milano Sanremo 2021 – 112th Edition – Milano – Sanremo 299 km – 20/03/2021 – Peter Sagan (SVK – Bora – Hansgrohe) – Cesare Benedetti (ITA – Bora – Hansgrohe) – photo Luca Bettini/BettiniPhoto©2021
Milano Sanremo 2021 – 112th Edition – Milano – Sanremo 299 km – 20/03/2021 – Peter Sagan (SVK – Bora – Hansgrohe) – photo Roberto Bettini/BettiniPhoto©2021
Milano Sanremo 2021 – 112th Edition – Milano – Sanremo 299 km – 20/03/2021 – Peter Sagan (SVK – Bora – Hansgrohe) – photo Tommaso Pelagalli/BettiniPhoto©2021