13/08/2023

"I only found out about it on the morning of the race" - Peter Sagan dismisses XCO starting row controversy

Tom Pidcock and Mathieu van der Poel were benefited to start in a better position at the XCO World Championships as the organizers looked to have the duo fighting for victory and also help their presence in the Olympic Games. Caught in the situation was also Peter Sagan who benefited from a last-minute rule change, one that he wasn't even aware of.

"Did I care about the fuss around the starting row? Honestly, I only found out about it on the morning of the race," Sagan told In de Leiderstrui. "I didn't know what was going on, seriously. I suddenly saw that I was on the fifth starting row, and when I heard my name from the announcer, I just went to the front. I did nothing to be able to start more at the front, not at all."

"I didn’t want to get involved in this rule changing sh*t" - Tom Pidcock against rule which helped him win XCO World Championship

The new rule stated that riders in the Top10 of other disciplines when it came to UCI points could have a fifth row start in yesterday's event, whilst in road cycling riders in the Top20 would benefit. As it turned out, Sagan did not fit either of those but was taken to the fifth row, starting ahead of more than half the field whilst otherwise he would start at the back as he lacks the points in Mountain Biking.

For a few laps he rode within the Top50 but the Slovakian struggled with the distance, whilst more seasoned pros could handle the tough race. "It wouldn't have made any difference because things went poorly, and I ended up at the back," he admits. "Oh well, it's always better to start from the front, but to be clear: it wasn't my decision, I didn't ask for it, and Pidcock was definitely the best."

PREVIEW | Glasgow World Championships Women's Elite Road Race 2023

Sagan still holds a contract until 2024 but next season he will put his full focus into Mountain Biking. He looks to still race the Olympic Games however it will be a difficult task. "I have to finish this year with TotalEnergies, so I will only focus on mountain biking from next season. I will ride Plouay and some other races, and I will end my road career in Vendée, in France," he concluded.