Moreno Moser to make Tour de France debut without pressure, but stage wins are the aspiration
A triple stage winner and Maillot Vert victor in his debut twelve months ago, Peter Sagan will once again target the green jersey in the sport’s biggest race, which begins in Corsica in eleven days’ time.
The Slovakian has been confirmed as the Cannondale Pro Cycling team captain for the race and, on the basis of last year’s performance plus his numerous victories this season, will be one of the most feared riders on flat and lumpy stages.
While Mark Cavendish is regarded as the world’s fastest sprinter, Sagan is one of the few riders who have beaten him in a straight-up gallop. He’s also a more versatile rider, meaning that if the route of a race is any way hilly or if the finishing sprint is uphill, he has an advantage.
The Slovakian has had a very strong season this year, clocking up a plethora of victories. These include stages in the Tours of Oman and California, the Tirreno-Adriatico and, most recently, the Tour de Suisse, as well as wins in Gent-Wevelgem and Brabantse Pijl.
Given that haul of successes, the team is confident heading into the Tour that more are on the way.
“We were able to build the perfect team for the goals we have set ourselves for this year’s Tour de France,” directeur sportif Stefano Zanatta said. “A talent like Sagan deserves to be supported and sustained. He has prepared for this appointment with great dedication and commitment; his goal of winning the green jersey is also ours.”
The team won’t be based only around Sagan, though. Strade Bianche winner Moreno Moser will make his Tour de France debut and Zanatta also has some big expectations there.
“Moser also has the ability to make his mark. We have great confidence in his talent and ask him only to give one hundred percent,” he said. “He has great qualities, both as an athlete and as a team player. His growth will be another big goal.”
They will be supported by the Polish rider Maciej Bodnar, the Slovenian Kristijan Koren, the Italians Alessandro De Marchi, Alan Marangoni and Fabio Sabatini, the American Ted King and the Dane Brian Vandborg.