Peter Sagan on Tour of Flanders crash: 'It was partly my fault'
The world champion was unable to defend his title after coming down in a crash on the Oude Kwaremont climb

Peter Sagan, Greg Van Avermaet and Oliver Naesen crash during the 2017 Tour of Flanders.

World champion Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) accepted partial blame for crash on the Oude Kwaremont in the closing kilometres of the Tour of Flanders today in Belgium.
Sagan, racing with number one as defending champion, fell with Oliver Naesen (Ag2r La Mondiale) and Greg Van Avermaet (BMC Racing).
>>> Philippe Gilbert takes stunning solo victory in dramatic 2017 Tour of Flanders
They were racing with 16.9km until the finish in Oudenaarde, at 59 seconds behind solo leader and eventual winner Philippe Gilbert (Quick Step Floors).
"I think you can see from the video what happened. It was my fault, but I just don't know," Sagan explained.
"I was near the barrier, yeah, but I was controlling the space; how close I was. I think it was a pullover or something, I didn't know.
"If you hit a barrier, you are right on the ground, your bike remains there, but I felt something and I was able to continue ahead.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
"I didn't fall right away, and my bars didn't spin, then something gave me a problem and right away the other riders hit me from behind and I wasn't able to continue."
Sagan spoke in Italian as he rode his bike from anti-doping to the hospital next door. He said that he can normally ride on the left side at the top of the Oude Kwaremont, where the cobbles continue next to the massive white VIP tents, without problems.
"Every year, if you are doing it alone, you can do it. I was alone ahead and they were following me, but then I snagged on a pullover or I don't know, some flag. Then the barrier was after, I went towards the barrier. Beforehand, I was far enough from the barrier, but I snagged something"
Asked if he hurt, Sagan pointed down to his right hip. He said, "la anca." He went inside for X-rays and other checks.
Sagan's suffering began when the race split on the Muur with 95 kilometres to race. Quick-Step rode away under Tom Boonen's power. It had three men in a 14-man move that included Sky’s Luke Rowe.
"There were various crashes on the Muur. I couldn't get up to the front. I thought that Quick-Step would do something there, but the others crashed two times, and I was a little bit behind, just that it was all blocked with riders everywhere," Sagan added.
"I was not far off after the Muur, but Trek pulled hard to catch me. So thought, 'OK, if they are pulling and take me, and they continue to pull to get the escape,' but they stopped pedalling when they caught me.
"We were at six seconds and I don't know why they didn't' take them back. That was a little mistaken because we so near to catching them and they didn't do it.
"That's the thing that, yet again, they raced as if they were OK and I was just there alone, but the escape was up the road and someone from that escape won."
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
Gregor Brown is an experienced cycling journalist, based in Florence, Italy. He has covered races all over the world for over a decade - following the Giro, Tour de France, and every major race since 2006. His love of cycling began with freestyle and BMX, before the 1998 Tour de France led him to a deep appreciation of the road racing season.
-
Gear up for your best summer of riding – Balfe's Bikes has up to 54% off Bontrager shoes, helmets, lights and much more
Supported It's not just Bontrager, Balfe's has a huge selection of discounted kit from the best cycling brands including Trek, Specialized, Giant and Castelli all with big reductions
By Paul Brett
-
7-Eleven returns to the peloton for one day only at Liège-Bastogne-Liège
Uno-X Mobility to rebrand as 7-Eleven for Sunday's Monument to pay tribute to iconic American team from the 1980s
By Tom Thewlis
-
Professional riders need more protection from mindless 'fans' at major races to avoid another Mathieu van der Poel Paris-Roubaix bottle incident
Cycling's authorities must do everything within their power to prevent spectators from assaulting riders
By Tom Thewlis
-
British team blocked from competing in key Spring Classics
Hess Cycling not invited to Amstel Gold Race
By Tom Thewlis
-
'Once we were four, I was really confident about winning' - Tenacious Lotte Kopecky hangs in at Tour of Flanders for victory
The Belgian isn't interested in making history, but is just doing so accidentally
By Adam Becket
-
'It's scary to see how much better he is' - Tadej Pogačar conquers all at the Tour of Flanders
The world champion won by a minute after a decisive attack on the Oude Kwaremont
By Adam Becket
-
Tadej Pogačar must attack from range at the Tour of Flanders - taking Mathieu van der Poel to the line is not an option
Slovenian must look to replicate his Oude Kwaremont attack from 2023 if he wants to guarantee being first across the line in Oudenaarde
By Tom Thewlis
-
Mathieu van der Poel surges to E3 Saxo Classic victory after dropping Mads Pedersen on the Oude Kwaremont
Dutchman untouchable in West Flanders after distancing Pedersen and Filippo Ganna on decisive climb
By Tom Thewlis
-
'Flanders is a race that demands a complete cyclist' - Neilson Powless aims for the Ronde in key month
The American is set to ride Paris-Nice before taking on the Tour of Flanders and the Ardennes Classics
By Tom Thewlis
-
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