“He could definitely do it” – Sagan backs Mathieu van der Poel for green jersey

Peter Sagan, the most successful green jersey winner in Tour de France history, believes Mathieu van der Poel has what it takes to contend for the points title this year, if he wants it.

“He's definitely the type of rider who can do it,” Sagan told WielerFlits, “but it very much depends on how he feels and what the team's plan is.”

Van der Poel hasn’t publicly committed to chasing the green jersey, but with Jasper Philipsen out and a strong first week behind him, the door is wide open. Van der Poel has won a stage, and been in yellow for several days, and now has a decision to make about his goals for the rest of the race. Sagan, who won the jersey seven times, was quick to point out the physical and tactical demands of going for green.

In this year’s edition of the Tour, there are very few pure sprinting days. That could give someone like Mathieu van der Poel, who prefers more punchy days, a chance to take the jersey.

“It can be really difficult to attack one day and give everything for points, only to be back in the bunch sprint the next,” he said. “But he could definitely do it. I've done it seven times, so he can do it once.”

Sagan emphasized the importance of a smart, measured approach over sheer strength, something he said Van der Poel already understands. Recalling his own days, he noted how their team would look to force selections on climbs before sprints or try to drop rivals early.

“Like Van der Poel, I used to have a few guys around me, and with them, you don't race hard, but smart,” he said. “Because you can't do everything.”

But Sagan sees another name in the mix, Jonathan Milan. The Italian sprinter has impressed in the first week, and Sagan believes he could be a serious threat.

“I also see Milan as a favorite because he can score a lot of points in the sprint stages,” Sagan said. “You just don't know if someone is going to grow in the Tour, or if they're going to get worse. How is someone going to get through the mountains? Everything is still open.”

Despite all his success, Sagan remains slightly bitter about the one that got away. In 2017, he was controversially disqualified after a crash on Stage 4, “It could even have been eight,” he said. “That was a joke, right?”