Peter Sagan opened his 2018 season Sunday night in Adelaide, Australia with a victory at the People’s Choice Classic.
With former People’s Choice Classic winner Caleb Ewan (Mitchelton-Scott) pushing ahead and André Greipel (Lotto Soudal) pushing hard at the front, Sagan burst through the front of the pack to win by over a wheel from the German, with Ewan finishing third.
Although the People’s Choice Classic is a non-points race, Sagan’s win was the first time that a rainbow-jersey holder has crossed the line first at the Santos Tour Down Under.
Sagan will ride for teammates Jay McCarthy and Sam Bennett in the Tour, but he relished the first-up win on Sunday night.
“I was well positioned ahead of the sprint but some guys came from behind and closed me in a little bit, I didn’t expect I could win today but at the end it went very well,” Sagan said.
“My team mates were a little bit too early at the front but it looks like a good week ahead. My condition is good.
“I’m very happy for my team. It’s a very good start of the season, I thank all the people who turned up today!”
