Stage glory, but Sagan says he can’t win Tour
WORLD champion Peter Sagan is talking down his chances of retaining the Tour Down Under lead up Old Willunga Hill today — but after his vintage performance to win Stage 4 in Uraidla yesterday, anything is possible.
The Slovakian superstar stunned onlookers and even surprised himself when he was still with the leaders over the top of Norton Summit before outsprinting his rivals at the finish to win the 128km stage in 41C heat.
Sagan takes a two-second lead into today’s penultimate stage up Old Willunga Hill, ahead of Mitchelton-Scott allrounder Daryl Impey (second yesterday) and a nine-second lead over his Bora-Hansgrohe teammate Jay McCarthy.
BMC’s Richie Porte, 21st yesterday, sits 14 seconds off the lead as he chases back-toback ochre jerseys and a fifth queen stage in a row today.
“It was a really tough day, re- ally hot and when we came to the bottom of the last climb it was not about painful legs, it was a very strange feeling like a headache all day,” Sagan said.
“Then I didn’t realise and we were already in the finish really fast.
“I didn’t expect that I could climb like that in this period.”
But Sagan has already ruled himself out of contention for today’s uphill finish and says the team will be working for McCarthy.
“I am still not in 100 per cent condition and for sure we all know why we are here — to support Jay,” Sagan said.
After battling illness yesterday, Porte will need to recover in time to produce his best ever performance to the top of Old Willunga Hill today.
Mitchelton-Scott director Matt White said although everyone knew what to expect from Porte, he would be hard to beat.
“There’s no secrets . . . and Richie is definitely going to be the favourite,” White said.