In-form Peter Sagan stated at the start of this year that he was hoping to challenge for all four cobbled Classics as soon as it was announced he would be returning to Paris-Roubaix.
At E3 Harelbeke Sagan showed why he deserves to be named as a favourite alongside Tom Boonen and Fabian Cancellara by out-sprinting Geraint Thomas (Team Sky) and Omega Pharma-Quickstep duo Niki Terpstra and Stijn Vandenbergh from the race-winning break.
And while his hopes of a clean sweep were ended when he finished third at Gent-Wevelgem, the Slovak star is undoubtedly the form rider of the ‘big three’ as he bids for a first career Monument.
His team-mates showed at Milan-San Remo just how strong they can be in terms of controlling a race, though Sagan missed out in the sprint finish, and they continued their dominance on day one of the Three Days of De Panne – where Sagan won despite attempting to set Oscar Gatto up for victory.
Having shown his phenomenal power to tow Gatto up to the leading group, Sagan led the sprint out but – despite appearing to brake as the line approached – ended up beating his team-mate in a photo finish.
Whether deliberate or not, it was another display of just how good Sagan’s form is after a start to the year which has also seen the 24-year-old secure stage wins at the Tour of Oman and Tirreno-Adriatico, as well as a second place at Strade Bianche.
The only thing Sagan lacks over Boonen and Cancellara is the experience of having won these races before – but, of course, everybody has to start somewhere and the form book suggests this could be Sagan’s year.
Peter Sagan – form guide
Tour of Flanders best result: Second (2013)
Paris-Roubaix best result: 86th (2011)
2014 best results: E3 Harelbeke – winner; Strade Bianche – second; Gent-Wevelgem – third; Tour of Oman – one stage win; Tirreno-Adriatico – one stage win; Three Days of De Panne – one stage win*
Team (likely): SAGAN, Maciej Bodnar, Oscar Gatto, Ted King, Kristjan Koren, Matthias Krizek, Paolo Longo, Alan Marangoni
*race ongoing
