There was a time, not long ago, when Peter Sagan would be content with a second-place finish. Or at least he would go to some lengths to explain that second-place was not irrelevant.
Since winning the World Championships in Richmond, however, maybe things have changed.
Sagan was pipped to the line by Elia Viviani on the fourth and final stage of the inaugural Abu Dhabi Tour, at the Yas Marina Circuit. As he came back to the team base, he feigned frustration, jokingly thumping his fist on the bike for the cameras.
He then insisted on checking a photographer’s shot of the finish, which proved that there were millimeters in it.
It was his second second-place finish on the tour, having lost out to Viviani on the second stage as well, which finished nearby at the Yas Mall. A first win in the Rainbow Jersey of the world champion will have to wait till next season.
But when he spoke, it was clear that losing out did hit him at some level – admittedly an entirely natural reaction and to be expected barely a minute after the race.
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His camp felt Sagan stood a real chance on Sunday and Sagan himself had been confident that the nature of the circuit and the early evening start would stand him in good stead.
Beaten right on the line – is second the new first he was asked.
“Second… yah, new first. Almost? Almost is still second, it’s not first. We will see again next year. I have finished the season and I’m happy for that.”
But you know a sport has a superstar on its hands when he is the centre of attention despite not winning. He is the kind of charismatic star that can set alight a sport.
At the Yas Marina, for instance, he took a pit-stop while the race was going on, stopping by to change his helmet and his bike. He shook hands with some fans, a video was made and off he went.
It was, everyone acknowledged later, exactly the kind of thing that cycling needs.
“Yes we tried to do like in Formula 1 and it was funny for people, for the fans who turned up,” Sagan said.
And despite the disappointment, he did actively seem to enjoy himself at the Yas Marina circuit. That was in contrast to his mood when he first arrived, when he worried about the effect of the high temperatures.
“Yes it was very special, very different tonight,” he said. “The last lap we went too fast. It was good, big turns. So yes, it was good. It was cool. Very fast.”
He may as well have been describing himself with those last two sentences.
osamiuddin@thenational.ae
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