The stage was all set for pre-race favourite Peter Sagan to take his first Monument victory and kick-off his Classics season in perfect style. A stunning effort by Cannondale, who provided near-perfect support for the Slovakian, had left Sagan among the leading riders over the final kilometres. Vincenzo Nibali’s attack did not faze them, as they calmly led Sagan over the Cipressa. But he was reduced to ‘also-ran’ at the denouement as he rolled in tenth, a mere spectator to Alexander Kristoff’s victory.
His team-mates, Alessandro de Marchi in particular, had provided almost faultless support but a first career Monument remains elusive for Sagan. He is now targeting a clean sweep of the cobbled Classics, with E3-Harelbeke and his defence of Gent-Wevelgem this week. His form there will be a good indicator as to whether he can finish the spring with a ‘big one’ in the bag – the Ronde being his next opportunity.
