"Fast and exciting" - Sagan's feedback on inaugural Gravel World Championships

Peter Sagan is an experienced off-road rider, and having the support of Specialized has seen him race within the Gravel field this year. The first UCI World Championships were obviously a target then, where the Slovakian put himself to the test on the roads of Veneto.

"I was looking forward to this first-ever UCI Gravel World Championship and I have to admit it turned out to be a great day," Sagan said in a message on social media. "The crowds were fantastic, from start to finish, the landscapes beautiful and the race was fast and exciting. I think this discipline brings cycling closer to a bigger audience and these events will become more popular.

Sagan's teammate and close friend Daniel Oss was in the winning move, but came just short of the rainbow jersey, coming home in second place as Gianni Vermeersch rode to the win. Sagan himself was amongst the first chasers from the peloton, finishing the race in 14th place amongst many other colleagues from the road peloton.

Sagan thanked the race organizers, and congratulated his rivals - and teammates - who stood on the podium. "Congratulations to the first-ever gravel world podium riders: The brand new world champion, Gianni Vermeersch, the silver medalist, in particular, and my very good friend, Daniel Oss, who gave every watt he had left in his legs until the finish line, and the bronze medalist, Mathieu van der Poel," he concluded.