Peter Sagan on Paris 2024 Olympic Games mission - 'Mountain bike has always been my passion'

Published 31/03/2023 at 09:00 GMT

Peter Sagan is dreaming of signing off his career at the Paris 2024 Olympics on the mountain bike. Speaking to Eurosport Italy ahead of the launch of the UCI Mountain Bike World Series, the Slovakian opened up about his decision to go professional on the road and why he would not trade any of his three rainbow jerseys for Olympic gold. “I wouldn't trade them for anything in the world,” he admits.

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A young Peter Sagan once said to himself: ‘if it goes wrong on the road, I can always go back to mountain biking’.

Since then, the Slovakian has won a record seven green jerseys at the Tour de France, three world titles and numerous Classics, including the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix – all while being one of the peloton's chief entertainers.

But the lure of the mountain bike has finally proved too strong, with Sagan set to return to his original discipline as he bids to sign off his career at the Paris Olympics next summer.

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Speaking to Eurosport Italy ahead of the inaugural UCI Mountain Bike World Series, Sagan talked about his decision to pursue a career on the road, despite his twin interests.

“In the junior category, I was able to alternate the two disciplines, then from the U23s I had to decide whether to continue on the road or on the MTB," he said.

“When Liquigas [his former team] offered me to become a professional on the road, I accepted immediately. At the time, it was also easy to take responsibility because road cycling was the best.

“After some time, I discovered I made the right choice, but mountain biking has always been my passion. So I decided: ‘when I retire, I'll do the last year on the mountain bike’. You also have to enjoy your work.

“My dream is to participate in the Paris 2024 Olympics in mountain bike. It will be a challenge for next year.”

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'I wouldn't trade them for anything in the world' - Sagan protective of world titles

Sagan is a former world and European champion in mountain biking and competed in the discipline at the Rio 2016 Olympics, finishing 35th.

But while he is chasing a golden farewell at the Games in 2024, he admits he would not consider making a deal with the cycling gods to trade any of his world titles to secure top spot in Paris.

Peter Sagan competes in the mountain bike at Rio 2016

Image credit: Getty Images

“If you asked me to change a win for these three World Championships, I wouldn't do it,” he said.

“All three were special. Especially on an emotional level. I wouldn't trade them for anything in the world, not even for the Olympics.”

Sagan became the first man to win three consecutive world road race titles in a stunning run between 2015 and 2017.

His performances were made even more remarkable given Slovakia had fewer riders than many of their fancied rivals, with Sagan only able to call upon two team-mates in 2015 and 2016.

He will bid to qualify for the Olympics later this summer at the UCI Cycling World Championships, which is bringing the sport's major disciplines together – including road, mountain bike, track cycling and BMX – for the first time.

Sagan is set to step away from WorldTour road racing at the end of the season.

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Stream the 2023 UCI Mountain Bike World Series live and on-demand on discovery+ and eurosport.co.uk

UCI Mountain Bike World Series