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Teams & Riders Peter Sagan discussion thread.

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It isn't about whether Sagan could or should have braked. Of course you can't just brake once you're fully committed in a sprint, which was the case with Ackermann in the Tirreno.

Sagan on the other hand hesitates twice (look at his body movements from the heli view) to go into a non-existing gap and decides to go for it nonetheless. He didn't even have to brake to avoid contact with Van Aert, so the "a sprinter can't brake"-argument is nonsense in this case.

Horner also says there was a gap at first and then Van Aert closed it by moving "just 2 inches" towards the barrier. How does this rhyme with Sagan barging into Van Aert's hips first? If Sagan can't even get next to him without touching (let alone barging) hips, how is he going to make it past his shoulders?
 
It isn't about whether Sagan could or should have braked. Of course you can't just brake once you're fully committed in a sprint, which was the case with Ackermann in the Tirreno.

Sagan on the other hand hesitates twice (look at his body movements from the heli view) to go into a non-existing gap and decides to go for it nonetheless. He didn't even have to brake to avoid contact with Van Aert, so the "a sprinter can't brake"-argument is nonsense in this case.

Horner also says there was a gap at first and then Van Aert closed it by moving "just 2 inches" towards the barrier. How does this rhyme with Sagan barging into Van Aert's hips first? If Sagan can't even get next to him without touching (let alone barging) hips, how is he going to make it past his shoulders?
Yep, talk about braking is just a straw man. And also ignores the fact, that even if Sagan had indeed got himself into a position where braking or making contact were the only two options, then that would also have been entirely his fault, for shooting for a gap that was never there.
 
It isn't about whether Sagan could or should have braked. Of course you can't just brake once you're fully committed in a sprint, which was the case with Ackermann in the Tirreno.

Sagan on the other hand hesitates twice (look at his body movements from the heli view) to go into a non-existing gap and decides to go for it nonetheless. He didn't even have to brake to avoid contact with Van Aert, so the "a sprinter can't brake"-argument is nonsense in this case.

Horner also says there was a gap at first and then Van Aert closed it by moving "just 2 inches" towards the barrier. How does this rhyme with Sagan barging into Van Aert's hips first? If Sagan can't even get next to him without touching (let alone barging) hips, how is he going to make it past his shoulders?

Odd you call it a "non-existing" gap, since the gap was clearly there, as Sagan made it through it :)

Edit:

Here's that gap you claim is not there:

image.jpg
 
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IMHO, Sagan knew what he was doing, horner is right in that case that he cant break, the gap was there and the jury is right to relegate Sagan, because it's dangerous. But all the sprinters know it's dangerous. In the end, the decision to go for it or not is on the sprinter. In such a case, as the UCI rule is quite clear, he has to count with the relegation if the gap is closed.
However, Sagan cannot be blamed for the decision to go for it. Yes it's dangerous and yes, recently there was pretty severe showcase of consequences if something happens. But all the sprinters accept the risk. Otherwise they wouldn't be there. You cannot get rid of it, because it would be like to tell the boxers just to do a shadow fight, because they could get a concussion, or worse, a brain damage. It's a sport for christ sake, and many of the best and most successful sportsmen and sportswomen are arrogant as hell. And they need to be, unless it stops after the race.
Today, sagan again showed rising form, it may not be enough for the green on tour, but pissed(in a good way) Sagan in a good shape will make an impact in the Giro. Maybe even points jersey and multiple stage wins.

EDIT: It would be nice though, if the resolution of the green would happen only in Paris. Somewhere around 20 points difference would be the best.
 
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I disagree. There is clearly not plenty of room - which is ultimately why he ended up being disqualified. And any 'competitive rider' who thinks that is a reasonable gap to shoot for, should have their license suspended for the sake of the rest of us. :rolleyes:
Haters gonna always hate. Your bias to him is well known. Of course, there was no gap there yesterday and plenty of space for CAV in 2017. What a pity he was not DSQ yesterday.
 
Haters gonna always hate. Your bias to him is well known. Of course, there was no gap there yesterday and plenty of space for CAV in 2017. What a pity he was not DSQ yesterday.
No need to get personal. What are your thoughts on the move? For example, if someone else had done that to Sagan and cost him a chance at going for victory, would you claim it was all fair in sprinting?
 
Van Aert seemed pretty vocal about not accepting what happened.
Well, Van Aert isn't exactly a sprinter, is he. Sagan has be on the others side of these "miniwars" multiple times in previous sprints. E.g. in stages 1 and 3 the fight for the wheel with the ISN sprinter. Actually I'd started to think, he's a little too assertive after the DSQ in 2017. But that was probably not it, the legs apparently weren't there at that time.
 
Re:



I couldn't believe what I was seeing, it was the perhaps the most vivid representation I've seen of someone's head being gone. He's clearly an emotional lad but from a pro sportsman you usually expect your blow ups to be articulated in the classic Kevin Keegan style as opposed to looking completely defeated.
What if Sagan's handlebars had tangled with Van Aert's elbow, forcing it go up? Then Van Aert should be expelled judging by what happened in 2017.

Is it inconsistent to say that Sagan was wrongfully disqualified in 2017, as I thought then and think now, but also was rightfully relegated in 2020? He did slightly deviate from his line in 2017 but that was partially forced by Demare and not particularly egregious. I don't think he should have even been relegated. In 2020, he clearly deviated from his line and initiated contact.
 

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