Peter Sagan abandons 2017 Strade Bianche
World champion pulled out of Italian Classic with illness
Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) has been forced to pull out of the 2017 Strade Bianche.
>>> Strade Bianche LIVE: follow our live coverage from start to finish
The world champion's Bora team announced that he had to abandon the race with around 70km to go after feeling unwell.
Sagan began the day as one of the favourites for victory having finished fourth last year and showed some scintillating form in the Belgian one-day races last week, Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, in which he finished second, and Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne, which he won from a small breakaway group.
Bora said that Sagan has been feeling unwell before the race, but wanted to ride as much of it as possible despite being under the weather.
All eyes will now switch to the likes of Omloop winner Greg Van Avermaet (BMC Racing), who was another pre-race favourite alongside Sagan after showing some super form himself.
The pair will next face-off at the Tirreno-Adriatico stage race which begins on Tuesday. Van Avermaet goes in as defending champion, but both he and Sagan will be looking to gain some more form ahead of Milan-San Remo and the northern Classics in April.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Follow on Twitter: @richwindy
Richard is digital editor of Cycling Weekly. Joining the team in 2013, Richard became editor of the website in 2014 and coordinates site content and strategy, leading the news team in coverage of the world's biggest races and working with the tech editor to deliver comprehensive buying guides, reviews, and the latest product news.
An occasional racer, Richard spends most of his time preparing for long-distance touring rides these days, or getting out to the Surrey Hills on the weekend on his Specialized Tarmac SL6 (with an obligatory pub stop of course).
-
'With a few changes, it'll be class' - Josh Tarling optimistic about Ineos Grenadiers future
'Everybody wants to get better and get back to winning,' 20-year-old tells audience at Rouleur Live
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'Knowing the course in a virtual race is maybe even more important than in road racing': Former e-sports World Champion's top tips
Speed skater turned eSports world champion, Loes Adegeest, on how to become virtually unbeatable when racing indoors
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
-
Peter Sagan finishes second in last ever professional race
Former three time road world champion was the runner up in the Slovakian national MTB championships on Sunday
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'It's a miracle': The inside story of how Peter Sagan ended up on a team called Pierre Baguette
Six years after the dream first took root, Boris Horváth finally has Peter Sagan on his team
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Peter Sagan confident of return to bike in 15 days after latest heart procedure
Sagan recently underwent second operation in Italy to tackle heart rhythm related issues
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Peter Sagan undergoes second heart procedure, as Olympics nears
Return to training after first operation reveals further heart rhythm issues
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'I don’t know': Not even Tadej Pogačar could explain his incredible Strade Bianche attack
The Slovenian was so dominant on Saturday that everything seems hyperbolic
By Adam Becket Published
-
Tadej Pogačar cruises to Strade Bianche victory after 81km solo attack
Slovenian wins by almost three minutes in Siena after dominant display in Tuscany
By Adam Becket Published
-
Lotte Kopecky storms to Strade Bianche victory with stinging attack
Belgian beats Elisa Longo Borghini to take her first WorldTour win in the rainbow jersey
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Tough new Strade Bianche course 'tips the scales' in favour of climbers, Matej Mohorič says
Slovenian says adjustments to the route will make race a 'journey into the unknown’
By Tom Thewlis Published